London, Dec. 30 (ANI): A new device that sends a high-frequency electrical pulse through the spine could transform the treatment of severe back pain.
A team at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, is the first in the world to implant the Nevro spinal cord stimulator in 100 patients, who would otherwise have needed surgery to stop their back pain.
The device is less invasive than surgery and cheaper. The US-made Nevro is 200 times more powerful than current NHS spinal cord stimulators that use an electrical pulse to combat the pain.
Cannabis makes pain more bearable instead of reducing it, said scientists.
They also said that they used to talk to the patient in the middle of the operation to make sure where they were feeling the tingling sensations. With the Nevro device, they can sleep.
Patients have a wire that is connected to a battery pack and inserted into their epidural space. If the electrical current that is emitted stops their back pain, they will have this wire removed and it will replaced by the full Nevro implant.
The 15,000-pound implant is switched on using a remote control and patients can use it for up to two hours at a time.
The procedure will not work for everyone, however, one in three won't be suitable because previous surgeries have complicated their condition, or their pain is too widespread.
Of those who do have Nevro implants, half will have a successful result. (ANI)
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