Luz Saúde : Chronic Pain Treatment with Central Neurostimulation

Chronic Pain Treatment with Central Neurostimulation

The Unit of Pain Treatment from Hospital da Luz Arrábida has now available, among other therapeutics, spinal cord neurostimulation, for the treatment of patients with chronic pain at torso and limbs level. This procedure, consisting in the insertion of electrodes in the thoracic epidural or cervical zone, registers a high rate of success, since it enables a faster improvement of algic complaints, lesser need of drugs and a faster return to active life.

Central neurostimulation is indicated for cases of chronic pain in the area of the torso and limbs, that cannot be solved by less invasive means, associated with the following situations:

• Post-laminectomy syndrome or lumbar pain, with no improvement after surgery;
• Radicular pain or sciatic pain, with no improvement after surgery;
• Secondary pain to different spine surgeries;
• Regional complex pain syndrome or algoneurodystrophy;
• Post-herpetic neuralgia, post-shingles;
• Pain after spinal cord injury;
• Pain after brachial plexus injury;
• Neuropathic pain after breast surgery;
• Pain from ischemic lower limbs;
• Untreatable angina pectoris of known and controllable etiology.

The insertion of electrodes in the thoracic epidural or cervical zone, according to the location of pain, is performed by cutaneous route, under local anaesthesia and sedation, for greater comfort of the patient. Usually, it involves a testing phase of about two weeks - and the subcutaneous insertion of a permanent stimulator (battery) will only be done, if there is significant relief of pain/vascularization.

For more information on this procedure or scheduling a Pain Consultation, use any of the usual channels available (app, site, reception desk or by phone 223 776 800).

Learn more about the Unit of Pain Treatment