Dramatic results in pain management have been achieved during the past year by members of the Southwest General Medical Staff Department of Neurosurgery. Nearly 86 million Americans suffer from chronic pain and 66 million are totally or partially disabled because of it. 
 
The most promising therapies for those whose pain cannot be managed through traditional means are implantable devices. Spinal Cord Stimulation and Intrathecal Therapy are two forms of pain management.

 

Spinal cord stimulation is essentially a pacemaker for pain. The procedure involves implanting electrodes at the spinal cord. Wires are connected to a tiny battery implanted under the skin. Electric impulses are delivered to the spinal cord to interrupt the pain signal, and people experience a tingling pleasant sensation instead.

 

Intrathecal therapy requires implanting a pain pump the size of a hockey puck (or smaller) in the abdomen area. The pump is programmed to dose medicine at certain rates, or continuously.