Overview of Treatment
The dorsal root ganglion is on the side of the spine where information from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG stimulation) is a type of neurostimulation Neurostimulation column of the spinal cord or nerves.
DRG stimulation is a pain management treatment option that provides pain relief for neuropathic conditions, such as complex regional pain syndrome, pelvic pain, groin neuralgia, extremity pain, and other nerve pain in isolated parts of the body that failed to respond to former conservative treatment options. DRG stimulation treats chronic pain in areas previously difficult to treat with traditional spinal cord stimulation. During the implantation of a DRG stimulator, healthcare professionals implant the device on the dorsal root ganglion. The spinal cord has many dorsal root ganglions, which means physicians can place the stimulator on any of these to better target specific painful regions.
The dorsal root ganglion contains a pulse generator, leads, and an external remote controller. Healthcare professionals will insert the pulse generator under the skin near the buttocks or abdomen and attach the leads to the pulse generator and tissues near the target treatment area. The pulse generator is the stimulator’s internal battery pack that sends signals to the leads, providing low-grade electrical stimulation to block pain signals from leaving the dorsal root ganglions. Patients using these devices report feeling a tingling sensation in painful areas instead of direct pain signals. Patients can control the intensity of the electrical stimulation with their external remote control.
Neurostimulation therapy is less invasive than traditional back surgery and is often a last resort treatment option before back surgery.
Conditions treated
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Pelvic pain
- Groin neuralgia
- Extremity pain
- Post-amputation pain
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Other nerve pain in isolated parts of the body
Benefits
- Provides pain relief by replacing pain signals with soothing, tingling sensation or blocks them completely
- Outpatient procedure requiring little recovery time
- Reversible procedure
- Trial period allows patient to see if neurostimulation relieves their pain
- Increases ability to sit, walk, and stand for prolonged periods
- Decreases need for pain medication
Dorsal Root Gangling Stimulation Procedure
Before your procedure, your Arizona Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation provider may ask you to stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or treatment procedure. This similar malady. If you experience these symptoms on the day of the procedure, you will need to reschedule your implantation.
Before the permanent implantation, patients must undergo a trial implant to ensure dorsal root ganglion for five with their physician to determine if they should continue with the treatment option.
During the trial and permanent implant, you will lie on your stomach on a table. The healthcare during the stimulates the correct area of the body and that you can feel the electrical pulses.
insert the lead generator in the upper buttock or lower abdomen region.
The procedure can last anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours.
Once the implantation of both devices ends, you will remain in an observation room to ensure no immediate device, Many electrical pulse. Once you know how to function your stimulator, your physician will allow you to leave.
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Recovery
You may not drive for the remainder of the day, so you will need someone to drive you home from your dissipate physician will direct you when you may use ice therapy to reduce any pain, swelling, or discomfort in the area.
Keep the incision site clean and dry, and you may only take a sponge bath for the first two weeks after the cannot lift more than five pounds. Your physician will recommend resting as much as possible for the first two weeks return to your routine activities and work.
After two weeks, you will attend your first follow-up appointment to ensure the incision is healing without dorsal root or progress. specific instructions at that time.
If, at any point following the implantation, your pain does not improve, call your physician. You will device. If reprogramming the device fails to improve the pain, your doctor will discuss removing the implant with you.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- Extreme pain in your legs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Decreased mobility or paralysis in your legs
- Sudden leg numbness
- Fever at 100 degrees F or 37 degrees C
Of those who felt pain relief after a year of using a DRG stimulator, over two-thirds reported feeling pain others significant reduction of their pain levels.
Risk
While the implantation of a dorsal root ganglion stimulator is a generally safe procedure, there remains the risk of complications, including:
- Bleeding, infection, or bruising at incision site
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia
- Stimulation of wrong area
- Stimulator device failure or irregular functionality
