For some sufferers of chronic pain, spinal cord stimulation has offered relief by modifying or blocking nerve activity that allows pain signals to reach the brain. Dr. Ricardo Taboada, an anesthesiologist specializing in pain management, discusses treatment available at Hartford Hospital’s Pain Treatment Center in this quick-hit interview:
Q. WHAT TYPE OF CHRONIC PAIN ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
A. Chronic leg (sciatica) or arm pain: Ongoing, persistent pain caused by degenerative conditions like arthritis or spinal stenosis, or from nerve damage.
Failed back surgery syndrome: Failure of one or more surgeries to control persistent leg pain (sciatica), but not technical failure of the original procedure.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): A progressive disease of the nervous system in which patients feel constant chronic burning pain, typically in the foot or the hand. Formerly called reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).
Arachnoiditis: Painful inflammation and scarring of the meninges (protective layers) of the spinal nerves.
Other: stump pain, angina, peripheral vascular disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury.
Q. WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THIS TYPE OF THERAPY?
A. You may be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation if:
- Conservative therapies have failed.
- Your source of pain has been verified.
- You would not benefit from additional surgery.
- You are not seriously dependent on pain medication or other drugs.
- You do not have depression or other psychiatric conditions that contribute to your pain.
- You have no medical conditions that would keep you from undergoing implantation.
- You have had a successful trial stimulation.
Learn more about pain relief with spinal cord stimulation at a free educational seminar Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Hartford Hospital Wellness Center at Blue Back Square in West Hartford. To register call 1.855.HHC.HERE (1.855.442.4373).