Posted by By Dr. Myrdalis Díaz-Ramírez
Every year, there are approximately 500,000 back surgeries in the U.S. Patients get back surgery for many different reasons, and there are various alternatives for treating the patient, depending on the cause of the pain.
Unfortunately, after surgery, a number of these patients will remain with pain. As a Pain Physician, I can evaluate these patients and offer ways to manage the pain. For me, the most exciting of these treatments is spinal cord stimulation.
Spinal cord stimulation uses electricity to treat pain. Many years ago, people would use the torpedo fish’s electricity to treat trigeminal neuralgia by placing the fish directly onto their face. The electrical sensation would provide a feeling to override the sense of pain. The use of electricity for pain evolved through science and engineering until we had the first implantable spinal cord stimulator in the 1960s.
These days, we have:
- pacemaker-like devices that stimulate with and without the electrical sensations
- technologies that rely on external batteries where no large implant is needed
- MRI-safe implants, rechargeable implants, non-rechargeable.
My excitement with this state-of-the-art technology derives from the significant percentage of our patients who regularly obtain sustained relief. Many will decrease and even wean off their pain medications. We have patients who had failed previous models. But, we’re even able to repeat trials with newer technologies, and they’re progressing into permanent relief.
We now have access to modernized stimulators. With very high-frequency stimulation, patients don’t feel the tingling, just relief. We also have access to newer programming that stimulates different cells, which, only until recently, we didn’t know how powerful they were in the pain control regulation system.
So, the surgery didn’t help your back pain? Suppose your surgeon has ruled out any complications or issues with the surgery. In that case, you could be a candidate for this long-lasting alternative. Just ask your Pain Management Physician if they think spinal cord stimulation could improve your pain control and your quality of life.
About Dr. Díaz-Ramírez
Dr. Myrdalis Díaz-Ramírez is a board-certified, fellowship-trained pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist with almost two decades of experience in the field. She is a clinical professor at Florida State University College of Medicine, has co-authored and edited multiple book chapters related to pain medicine, and she has been awarded “Top Doctor” in her field by her peers for the past nine consecutive years. Dr. Díaz-Ramírez is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Dr. Díaz-Ramírez practices at Sarasota Pain Relief Centers’ Central Sarasota location, and holds dual Board Certifications in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.
Do You Need an Expert Pain Doctor in Sarasota?
At Sarasota Pain Relief Centers, our expert pain management specialists are dedicated to providing powerful, minimally invasive procedures and treatments based on the individual needs of each patient.
Our specialists are highly skilled and ready to consult with you to find a customized solution based on your unique situation and the nature of your pain. We’ll work together with you to find the most effective option to minimize your pain and restore your quality of life.
Call Sarasota Pain Relief Centers today at 941-363-9400 to schedule a consultation or click the button below to set up a consultation at one of our clinics online.
