Spinal Cord Stimulation in Mumbai

Spinal cord stimulation in Mumbai is an excellent technology that blocks the pain signal before it reaches the brain. It is used for chronic pains caused due to surgical procedures one has gone through in the past or any other nerve injury.

With the increase in the number of people doing desk jobs and not indulging in any physical exercises, the problem of back pain has significantly increased. People nowadays spend most of their time in front of their phone or laptop screens while sitting in bad posture which is a major reason for experiencing chronic back pains.

When conventional pain management therapies fail to provide relief, that’s when spinal cord electrical stimulation comes into the limelight. This innovative therapy at Gleneagles Hospital has helped lakhs of people with chronic persistent pains get relief in the least possible time.

In this article, we will explore everything about this new technology that is revolutionising the healthcare industry and why Gleneagles Hospital is the most preferred choice of people when it comes to getting spinal cord electrical stimulation done.

Spinal cord stimulation is the procedure of treating chronic pains with the help of electric signals that are sent to the spinal cord. In this procedure, the spinal cord stimulator is placed in the lower back region of the patient suffering from pain. Spinal cord stimulators comprise electrodes that are thin wires which are placed between the spinal cord and the vertebrate. It also consists of a generator, which is more like a pacemaker and is placed beneath the skin near the abdomen region. This spinal cord stimulator sends remote signals when a patient is likely to feel any pain. Instead of feeling the pain, the patients get an electric impulse in the form of remote signals sent to the antenna that is remotely controlled from outside the body.

The procedure of spinal cord stimulation is completed in a two-phase procedure, which is as follows:

1. The Trial Phase

• Since it is about inserting a machine permanently in the body, providing a trial to the patients provides more clarity on what to expect once the implantation is done. This is because once the pacemaker and electrodes are surgically implanted in the body, any discomfort or issues are a little difficult to tackle after that.
• During the trial phase, your healthcare provider will place small electrodes inside of your body and the other end is still kept outside. A generator is taped outside the body during the trial procedure to test the effectiveness of the system. The process of inserting the electrode is done under sedation. If the patient experiences at least 50% relief in the pain, that means the technology is working for them, and then they could move on to the implantation phase.
• The duration of the trial phase is somewhere around 5 to 7 days so that the patient gets to fully experience it. Once the trial is successful, the implantation will be done after one to two weeks after the trial phase ends.

2. The Implantation Phase

• The implantation phase is started by providing anaesthesia to the patient. The trial leads are then placed permanently inside the spinal cord region. For that, incisions would have to be made to make space for the electrodes. The size of the incisions depends on whether you are getting a percutaneous or a paddle electrode. More space has to be created for paddle electrodes than for percutaneous electrodes.
• A small pocket-like space would be created for placing the generator where the ends of the electrode leads will also be attached and connected to the generator. The placement of the generator is especially important as one should be able to feel it through their hand. Certain types of generators are to be charged. For this, you might have to place the charger on the region of your skin where the generator is placed.
• Once the electrodes and the generator are correctly placed, the doctor will then close the areas using stitches or staples. Since the procedure is done under local anaesthesia, it is therefore not painful. Precautions should be taken after the procedure. It is advised not to put pressure on the operated region until it heals completely.

Getting implantation done for a spinal cord stimulator ICD 10, a patient should be the ideal candidate for the procedure. To identify whether you should go for it or not, check the requirements:

• Back Pain
• Complex Region Pain Syndrome
• Laminectomy Surgery Pain
• Diabetes-Related Nerve Damage
• Neuropathic Pain
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Angina

Several different kinds of spinal cord stimulators are designed to address different problems.

• Fixed Output Spinal Cord Stimulator: This is the conventional spinal cord stimulator that is years from years. It provides continuous electrical impulses of constant frequency and intensity. To keep this type of stimulator effective regular adjustments are required to be done.
• Rechargeable Spinal Cord Stimulator: The rechargeable spinal cord stimulators help the patients by reducing the need for replacing the battery time and again. A charger is provided with the generator so that you can charge it whenever you feel that its efficiency has reduced.
• Burst Stimulation Spinal Cord Stimulator: This is a more advanced type of nuvectra spinal cord stimulator in which the stimulations provided are intermittent instead of continuous signals. This is especially effective as it mimics the natural nerve impulses of the human body and reduces pain perception more effectively.
• High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulator: The high-frequency SCS provides a higher frequency of impulse without causing any Paresthesia (or tingling sensation). It can operate on a frequency as high as 10kHz.

The patients who go for a spinal cord stimulation can significantly benefit in managing pain more effectively and ensuring overall well-being. Some of the benefits of SCS include:

• Reduced Pain Levels: SCS solutions are greatly helpful for minimising chronic pain to a very large extent. Whether it is post-surgery pain or acute back pain, it can cure everything.
• Reduced Reliance on Long-Term Medications: Many patients who are advised to take long-term medication for pain management can benefit from SCS as they would no longer have to take regular medication.
• Minimally Invasive: The procedure is not very surgical, it just requires making small incisions, and the recovery period is also small due to this reason.
• Broader Use Case: Spinal Cord stimulation can treat a wide range of chronic pains, such as heart-related pain in the chest, chronic back pain, chest pain, or various nerve pains.

With the multitude of benefits that the procedures offer, it has a set of risks and limitations too. Some of them are listed below.

• Infection at the Implantation Site: Since a machine is inserted inside of your body, there are chances of having a skin infection at the place where the electrode or generator is implanted. If your skin is allergic to any metal or any substance, then infections can be experienced, which have to be treated for better functioning of the SCS.
• Nerve Damage During the Surgery: A space is made inside of the body where there are chances of potential nerve damage, which can cause spinal cord stimulator paralysis. The nerves present in the lower back region are connected all the way down to the legs. Therefore, the chances of developing spinal cord stimulator paralysis are high if not done with caution.
• Device Malfunctions: At the end of the day, machines are machines, they can malfunction and cause errors. The generator used in the procedure has fixed lifespans and stops providing proper stimulations. After some time, they need replacements.

The recovery period after the trial phase is usually not that long. You can go home the same way, however, some movements should be restricted. Once the implantation is done, more precautions are to be taken. You would have to stay in the hospital for a few days. And once you are discharged your healthcare provider would ask you to restrict physical activities completely for at least 4 to 6 weeks. This will help the generator pocket in healing and making your body used to it.

Some of the reasons that make Gleneagles Hospital your one-stop solution for spinal cord stimulation in Mumbai include:

• Expert Team: At Gleneagles Hospital, you will get access to the most skilled and highly proficient doctors who will perform your procedure.
• Advanced Technology: Traditional treatment methods are no longer effective. Gleneagles Hospital has the most advanced technological solutions for providing the best services.
• Patient-Centric Approach: We at Gleneagles Hospital believe each patient needs a specific treatment plan for optimum results.