Renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney offers Spinal Cord Stimulation Treatment and renews hope to millions suffering from chronic pain associated with spinal cord disorders and injuries. Spinal cord stimulation is a therapeutic technique that helps to reduce the intensity of chronic pain and restore motor functioning in patients suffering from spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord stimulation prevents pain signals from reaching the brain and relieves the patient from chronic back pain. The treating neurosurgeon performs a minor procedure to implant a tiny device akin to a pacemaker which sends electrical pulses to the spinal cord.

Spinal cord stimulation treatment is recommended to patients suffering from arm, leg, or back pain, complex regional pain syndrome, neuropathy, malfunctioning of nerves, post-laminectomy syndrome, perineal pain and visceral abdominal discomfort, peripheral vascular disease, arachnoiditis, post-surgical pain, injury to the spinal cord.

Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney, founder of Neurolife Clinic, Mumbai and Senior Consultant – of Brain and Spine at Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, shares his views on Spinal cord stimulation treatment says, ‘One of the best advantages of this treatment is that it reduces the intensity of chronic pain and also the dependency on opioid medication.’

Surgeon explains that a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) administers a moderate electric current to the spinal cord. Thin cables of the pulse generator deliver the current to the nerve fibres of the spinal cord. When the stimulator is switched on, it stimulates the nerves in the painful area. The electrical pulses change the pain signal, not allowing it to reach the brain.

The spinal cord stimulation procedure is performed in two steps. The first procedure involves a trial followed by surgery to implant the pulse generator/battery. The trial procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure. After five to seven days, the patient revisits the neurosurgeon to decide whether to proceed with the implantation of the stimulator or remove it.

If the patient experiences 50% relief from pain, they can proceed with the implantation of the spinal cord stimulation device. The implantation surgery for spinal cord stimulation lasts for one to two hours. The neurosurgeon implants the electrode using fluoroscopy and ensures that the leads do not contact the spinal cord directly. The surgeon can seek responses from the patient if they are responsive for better placement of the device.

Once the lead electrodes are in place, the neurosurgery procedure involves implanting the generator in the buttock, with a wire connecting it to the spine under the skin. The neurosurgeon makes a tiny skin incision below the waistline to place the generator, then joins the pulse generator to the lead wire and checks whether the generator is correctly set.

Upon recovery, the neurosurgeon will perform a follow-up and program the pulse generator and your medication, depending on your spinal health.

Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney cautions patients as he states, ‘The SCS does not treat the pain, but it helps the patient to manage the pain, especially to nearly 50%, which we consider successful. Research reveals that almost 50 to 80% of the patients have experienced nearly 50% reduction in pain. At the same time, some of them have resumed active lifestyles such as housework or employment, with or without consuming oral painkillers.

Patients with SCS can experience considerable relief from pain, improve functionally and lead more satisfactorily. Also, it is possible to reverse SCS therapy by undergoing another procedure to remove the electrode wires and generators.

About Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney:

Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney is a highly respected neurosurgeon with expertise in minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures. He is an accomplished surgeon with many successful surgeries to treat complicated brain and spinal cord conditions to his credit. His passion for neurosciences has made him an expert in Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Epilepsy Neurosurgery, Functional Neurosurgery, and Neuroendoscopy.

With nearly two decades of experience in the medical field, including neurosurgery, he has been recognized as a leading neurosurgeon in Mumbai, courtesy of his dedication, untiring effort and endurance. He is committed to a patient-centric and evidence-based approach in the best interest of his patients.

Contact Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney

Phone: +91 8104310753

Email: gurneetsawhney@gmail.com

Address

Neurolife Brain & Spine Clinic,

C-118, 1st floor, Hall Mark Commercial Complex,

Vasant Oscar, LBS Marg, Mulund West,

Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400082.