What Doctors Say
Find out what doctors across the US have to say about spinal cord stimulation (neurostimulation therapy) and drug delivery therapy to help manage chronic pain.
DR. ERIC GRIGSBY
Pain Management Specialist, California
Dr. Grigsby talks about the goals of providing neurostimulation therapy for chronic pain.
DR. DAVID PROVENZANO
Pain Management Specialist, Pennsylvania
Dr. Provenzano talks about one of the advantages of drug delivery therapy.
DR. ANDREW HESSELTINE
Pain Specialist, California
"To determine whether to try neurostimulation or drug delivery therapy, we first evaluate the type of pain. Neurostimulation is indicated for nerve-related pain in the extremities or the trunk. For example, this could be an option for a patient who has failed back surgery and has continuing back and/or leg pain. Drug delivery therapy is better for widespread pain. If there is a question as to which therapy to try, I try neurostimulation therapy first."
DR. JOSHUA WELLINGTON
Pain Specialist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana
"Often patients come to me from other pain physicians or family practice physicians. They have tried conservative treatments which failed or have not lived up to expectations. I explain that now we’re going to consider more advanced therapies such as neurostimulation and drug delivery therapy.
Although the pain may not completely go away with these therapies, it should be improved significantly. Our ultimate goal is to improve quality of life using advanced pain therapies to achieve those goals.
These therapies can be life changing."
Risks of intrathecal drug delivery and the procedure: In addition to surgical risks, such as infection, and drug related adverse events, pump or catheter problems can occur and may require corrective surgery.
Risks of neurostimulation therapy and the procedure: The neurostimulation implant is surgically placed under the skin. Surgical complications are possible and may include infection, pain at the site of surgery, and bleeding into the epidural space. Once the neurostimulation system is implanted, device complications may occur and include corrective surgery, jolting, lead breaking, and movement of the lead within the epidural space which may require reprogramming or surgical replacement of the lead. These events may result in uncomfortable stimulation or loss of therapy.
The doctors listed on this page are paid by Medtronic as consultants. Medtronic asked for their statements regarding their experience with neurostimulation and drug delivery therapy.
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Find Out What Patients Say
David: Neurostimulation Therapy since 2009
“My wife and kids and family were kind of apprehensive, more than I was about having the procedure done. Because they didn't really understand it.”