Dr. Vivek Mehta, a pain management physician at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, was eager and excited when his patient, Wes Woodworth, took an interest in the Precision Spectra spinal cord stimulator implant this April 2013. In fact, Woodworth would be Dr. Mehta’s first patient to receive the implant. It was after a long battle with chronic back and leg pain that Wes Woodworth finally had enough with pain medications that made him feel like a zombie. This revolutionized device is a great option for patients who suffer from chronic pain and whose conservative treatment plans have not shown improvements. At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, options for chronic pain patients are extensive and effective. There are a number of treatments and surgeries that are available to patients who want to see fast, effective results.
In December 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Precision Spectra spinal cord stimulator. The following April 2013, the device was unveiled at the American Academy of Pain Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Mehta, along with only a handful of other physicians in the country, is one of the first physicians to use the implant to help patients manage their chronic pain.
Spinal cord stimulation controls nerve pain and prevents pain signals from reaching the brain through electrical pulses. This procedure has been used since the 1970s, but was just recently revamped to provide the most successful results. Originally consisting of 16 wire contacts, the new model is made up of 32. These wires are placed under the patient’s skin along the spinal cord to properly and specifically address the pain. These contacts allow physicians to locate pain transmitters from multiple points along the spinal cord- the new wire contacts consist of 150,000 locations!
A device implanted near the hip allows patients to use a wireless remote to control the intensity of the electrical pulses. It also controls where the electrical pulses are sent: whether is be in their back, or their upper and lower extremities.
“This is the cutting edge of pain management,” Mehta commented. When Woodworth made the appointment with Dr. Mehta he reiterated how pain medications were not working and he had underwent several failed surgeries. His chronic pain was keeping him from enjoying activities with his family. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Woodworth was fed up with his lifestyle. Mehta considered Woodworth a good candidate for the procedure and the successful surgery is providing positive results thus far.
Patients who have tried other pain management treatments and are showing no improvements in their pain levels should speak with their doctors about this procedure. Even if your physician has not introduced the Precision Spectra in their clinic, a conversation can be held about other options or surgeries. The physicians and experienced medical staff at Southwest Spine and Pain Center continue to offer the ultimate patient experience and provide exceptional patient care.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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