Chronic and complex pain is difficult to treat. However, modern medicine has provided a new type of therapy that has had excellent results for patients with CRPS and Peripheral Neuropathy. It’s a device distributed by Abbott that goes into the spine and stimulates the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), hence its name. Learn how this revolutionary treatment can change your life.
What Is Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Therapy?
DRG stimulation is a treatment that was developed as a way to help patients in severe and chronic pain. It relies on three key components:
1) A generator created by Abbott that sends electrical signals (implanted under the skin)
2) A flexible wire (lead) that connects the generator to the spine
3) A remote controller that helps the patient regulate the electrical impulses.
Pain signals in the body travel through nerves into the spine to reach the brain. Dorsal root ganglions are nerves that act like traffic lights, regulating what signals get through. Sending an electrical stimulus to the ganglia was shown in a study from 2017 to significantly reduce the pain experienced by the patient.
Although preparation and aftercare for the surgery takes up to a few weeks, the procedure itself is minimally invasive and quick. It’s important to do all the preparations to guarantee the best placement and results.
Each ganglion is in charge of a different part of the body, so the treatment targets specific extremities. At University Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Demesmin—with his vast knowledge and experience—is qualified to do the procedure.
Complex Pain in CRPS and Peripheral Neuropathy
Chronic pain makes day to day life challenging. Not only from a physical point of view but also because of the psychological effects it can have.
CRPS is regarded as one of the most painful conditions to have. It usually onsets after a surgery or accident. Some less severe cases may be treated with a multidisciplinary approach, including medication and physical therapy. However, for people with acute cases this might not be enough.
Peripheral Neuropathy appears mostly in people with diabetes and less so because of Lyme disease, toxins, etc. Sometimes diagnosis can be difficult due to the array of symptoms that appear. The pain experienced can go from mild to severe and deeply affect quality of life.
In both cases, DRG stimulation therapy has been found to provide relief.
How DRG Stimulation Therapy Can Help
Treating chronic pain can be taxing for the patients. That is why DRG has been a revolutionary discovery in recent medicine. A 2019 study analyzed data of how it has helped a wide array of patients, and the results show excellent response in at least 63% of patients, who reported around 50%< pain relief after getting the device.
For patients with CRPS-I (which is the most common type), the results varied for different limbs like so:
- Foot and Groin: 80%
- Leg: 75%
- Back: 70%
After Abbott developed a standardized device, DRG stimulation therapy has become one of the top treatments to address persistent and severe chronic pain.
The Surgical and Recovery Process
For the implantation of the DRG Abbott system, post and pre-op care is more extensive than the surgery itself. Figuring out the anatomy of the patient’s spine by taking good x-rays is essential, as it will show if the wire can go through. During the operation, the lead is inserted with the help of a guiding rod through a small incision, and minimal sutures are required afterwards.
After the patient wakes, there are follow-ups to check on pain levels and any other discomfort.
Once the device is activated, the patient should begin to notice a reduction in their pain. With the remote controller they will be able to regulate the electrical impulses.
Click here to see a video explaining how the system is implanted and put to work.
Safety Concerns
Any risk that a surgery represents can make patients nervous, especially if it’s related to the spine. The spinal cord connects our entire body and is greatly responsible for movement and sensation.
It is natural to hear about the DGR Stimulation Abbott device and feel unsure about the safety of getting one.
Fortunately, the research shows us that, for the most part, it is a safe procedure. Studies tell us that the most common complication is experiencing pain at the place of implantation after the fact (10%). Other possible issues are listed from most to least likely as follows:
- Lead fracture (5.9%)
- Lead migration (5.9%)
- Infection (5.1%)
If you are experiencing any doubt about these, you can talk to a physician with experience in the topic. At University Pain and Spine Center we specialize in this and similar treatments.
DRG Stimulation Therapy Offers Tangible Results
Looking at all the medical evidence, DRG stimulation therapy is one of the best treatments available for managing chronic pain. Especially for patients with CRPS or Peripheral Neuropathy that is not relenting with other treatments.
The minimal risks that imply the surgery is an advantage that, paired with the percentage of improvement for multiple types of patients, prove its efficiency and safety.
Chronic pain doesn’t need to be something you live with for the rest of your life. There are treatment options, and with us by your side, we can find a way to make your day to day better.