Otherwise known as "spinal cord stimulation," neurostimulation involves a small, surgically implanted device similar to a pacemaker with a special electrode placed next to the nerves carrying the painful impulses. The system acts as a scrambling device to block pain without the use of any medication by sending electrical impulses (which are felt as tingling) into the area where the patient is feeling the pain. Manufactured by Advanced Neurological Systems, this device has been used successfully for over 20 years. Patients experience a 50 percent or greater reduction in pain and with a hand-held home programmer are able to adjust the system themselves to optimize their relief.

Medication Pump

Patients with painful back and extremity pain sometimes require around-the-clock pain medication to control their pain. The vast majority of these patients can be safely and easily treated with oral pain medications. However, some of these patients either get inadequate pain relief or develop side effects to the medication.

For those patients, the surgically implanted medication pump may be a life-changing therapy. With this system, pain medication is delivered right to the spinal nerves carrying the pain. The amount of medication required when delivered with the pump is typically less than 1 percent of that required by medication. Side effects are therefore greatly reduced. Pain relief is profound with this device. The pump also allows for the use of special medications that cannot be given for pain in any other way.