New Device Relieves Back Pain
November 26th, 2008 | Author: Craig
Here is some more news on using electrodes implanted in the spine to conrol pain. This method has become increasingly popular for people that have not found relief with surgery and for once it seems that most medical insurance plans will cover this procedure.
A medical breakthrough could help those who’ve already had back surgery beat pain.
Adam Hammond he was a chief warrant officer headed into Army aviation when an afternoon at his favorite hobby dive site called “skydive green-county” turned tragic.
“I was reaching for my toggle to pull out and nothing happened,” he said.
Two years and 18 surgeries later, Hammond is back at his favorite spot hoping to one-day sky-dive again.
“I had a severed aorta, torn femoral artery, open back pelvic wound, broken hip, broken right femur, my vertebrae was severed from my pelvis,” he said.
Hammond’s injuries left him in so much the pain, he could barely walk up until a few months ago when doctors inserted what’s sort of a pain pacemaker that has changed his life.
The Advanced Neuromodulation System device, the EON mini, contains the world’s smallest implantable generator and a ten-year battery.
Doctors place two tiny electrodes in the spine under X-ray guidance and the device applies electrical fields to the spinal cord.
What makes this system unique however is that it has multiple contacts Hammond can adjust through a programming device.
Pain specialist Dr. Lawrence Zeff said, “You are actually able to have about 63 million different programs or possible combinations of programming on this particular device and that way we are pretty successful in finding at least one program to relieve pain.”
It’s worked so well for Hammond, he now expects to once again have a life with two things he loves: skydiving and a military career.
“This device has saved my career with the army,” he said. “I love my serving my country, plus my brother is in the military and I don’t want him to one up me.”
This pain reducing stimulator is currently used for lower back and leg pain and is covered by most medical insurance plans.
Source: 13wham.com
