Implants and back pain.

Hi, sorry I have been lazy with these blogs, last few days I could not access Google, some new Google Map feature.
Here is an article from Cincinati News, looks interesting.
Implant brings relief of back, leg pain
By Peggy O'Farrell • pofarrell@enquirer.com • March 8, 2009

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An electronic implant about the size of an Oreo cookie is bringing big relief to chronic back and leg pain sufferers.


The Eon Mini, manufactured by St. Jude Medical Inc., is the latest spinal cord stimulator available for patients who haven't gotten relief after surgeries, medications and other treatments for pain from degenerative disk disease and other back and nerve problems. Previous versions of the technology have been implanted in about 45,000 people worldwide, said Denise Landry, a spokeswoman for St. Paul, Minn.-based St. Jude Medical.

The device, billed as the world's smallest, is similar to a cardiac pacemaker, but the electrical impulses it sends out along the spinal cord block the pain signals transmitted by the nerves.

"Instead of the pain, patients feel a pins-and-needles sensation, or a vibration," said Larry Zeff, an interventional pain medicine specialist with Freiberg Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, which has offices in Kenwood, Westwood and Mount Airy.

Patients can program the implant to match their particular pain patterns, Zeff said, and can use a handheld control to turn the device on and off, and to turn the level of pain control up or down.

Cost of the device ranges from $15,000 to $24,000. It's covered by most health insurance plans.

Along with less pain, patients who use the implant also get the benefit of using fewer painkillers, he said.

Melissa York, 46, of Villa Hills received the implant in September after two surgeries failed to correct the pain of degenerative disk disease.

"It's enabled me to get back to a halfway normal life," York said.

She's been battling chronic back pain for about three years.

"It just started hurting, and as the years progressed, it kept getting worse and worse," she said.

Before the implant, York relied on the painkiller Vicodin, a prescription narcotic, for relief.

"Now there are days when I don't take but maybe one and a half Vicodin the whole day," she said. "Before, I would have to take at least three to get through the day."

York uses four programs to control her pain, which starts at her hips and runs down both legs to her feet.

She uses the implant several hours a day, and takes pain medicine in between.

Tim Sigafoose, 51, of Colerain Township got the implant in December for chronic low-back pain.

"I should have done this years ago," he said. "I can do anything now. I can cut grass. Walk."

He's been able to cut back from six pain pills a day to "maybe two."

York recently bought an exercise bicycle and is starting to use it regularly.She's also looking forward to getting back to a regular walking routine.

The device is battery operated, but the battery lasts for 10 to 15 years, Zeff said.

The device is also useful for patients with interstitial cystitis, diabetic neuropathy and other chronic pain conditions, he said.
Interesting article.
If you want more information on back pain releif, go to www.backpainloss.com
Paul