Being diagnosed with neuropathy can be a distressing experience, as it involves a painful nerve condition that often starts with chronic numbness in the hands and feet before escalating to sharp, shooting or burning pain. Weakness and loss of function in that area may also be present. However, the caring team at Advanced Pain Institute of Texas can help alleviate these symptoms.
To start, the root cause of neuropathy needs to be identified. Although diabetes is often the cause of chronic neuropathy, it can also be caused by dietary deficiencies, certain medications, some cancer treatments, or an injury. Treating the underlying cause often helps manage or eliminate nerve pain.
If nerve pain persists, pain management can play an important role. Advanced Pain Institute of Texas offers several nerve medications and procedures such as a Lumbar Sympathetic Block and a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS).
Lumbar Sympathetic Block is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid medication into the sympathetic nerve tissue located in the lower back (lumbar region) to block pain signals. The sympathetic nerves control blood flow and other involuntary body functions, and when they become overactive, they can cause chronic pain in the legs, hips, and lower back. The block is used to treat chronic pain conditions such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), chronic back pain, and peripheral vascular disease. The procedure is usually performed under X-ray guidance and takes about 30 minutes. The effects of the block are usually temporary but can provide significant pain relief.
A Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is a medical device that is implanted under the skin of the lower back to help manage chronic pain in the legs, arms, or trunk. The device works by sending electrical impulses to the nerves along the spinal cord that are responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain. These impulses disrupt or “block” the pain signals, thereby reducing the perception of pain.
The SCS device consists of two main components: a small generator that is implanted under the skin, and a lead wire with electrodes that are placed along the spinal cord. The device is controlled by a handheld remote that allows the patient to adjust the level of stimulation as needed.
SCS is typically used to treat chronic pain conditions such as failed back surgery syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and neuropathic pain. The procedure to implant the device is usually performed under sedation or general anesthesia and takes a few hours to complete. The device is often used after other pain management options have failed to provide sufficient relief. Your doctor will assess the treatment’s effectiveness through a trial first.
In many cases, these procedures minimize and eliminate nerve pain, according to Dr. John Broadnax.
Located in Lewisville, Advanced Pain Institute of Texas is a reliable source for pain management treatments and head-to-toe remedies. To learn more about how they can help, visit apitexas.com or call 972-866-4246. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
