UIC Assessing Spinal Cord Stimulator in Treatment of Chronic Pain

[Max]

UIC Assessing Spinal Cord Stimulator in Treatment of Chronic Pain
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SPINAL CORD, PAIN, SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR
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A neurosurgeon at the University of Illinois at Chicago is assessing how well an implanted electronic device that stimulates nerve fibers in the spinal cord relieves chronic pain.



Newswise - A neurosurgeon at the University of Illinois at Chicago is assessing how well an implanted electronic device that stimulates nerve fibers in the spinal cord relieves chronic pain.

The device, made by Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but is undergoing further evaluation at several sites throughout the United States for potential marketing overseas.

"Coping with chronic pain is one of life's greatest challenges," said Dr. Konstantin Slavin, assistant professor of neurosurgery at the UIC College of Medicine.

More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, Slavin said, and many of them become partially or totally disabled. "That's why it is important to identify effective methods for treating intractable pain, and document the extent to which these treatments can improve patients' quality of life."

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/505340/

[mike]

I tested the Medtronics version of a pain stimulator with mixed result. Initially I got some relief in my feet and in my lower legs, but later found that as the intensity of the burning increased and the pain went higher in my body now reaching my lower chest, the benefits did not justify keeping the device.Since central pain is a condition that continues to get worse for most of us, it is difficult to wire the leads high enough in the spine to get significant relief.

mike