Patient Testimonials:
Hear it from the patient
The effects of DRG-S treatment have been demonstrating results that were superior to conventional SCS.
DRG- S for Low Back Pain and Leg Pain
DRG- S for Low Back Pain and Leg Pain
Effective treatment for chronic low back pain (LBP) is considered the ‘holy grail’ of neuromodulation. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) was introduced in 1967 to treat chronic pain. Over the years it has shown mixed results for LBP, with limited improvements in pain and function, and loss of efficacy over time.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) was developed as a treatment for nerve-related pain syndromes and has proven to be superior to SCS for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), which typically affects the hands or feet.
As utilization of DRG-S increased, so did our understanding of its underlying mechanisms of action. One such mechanism of action is a result of the stimulator device sending inhibitory signals into the spinal cord. Based on this principle, the team at the Spine & Pain Institute of NY pioneered the treatment of low back pain with DRG-S at the T12 spinal level(1). Their publication on a case series of patients using DRG-S at the T12 level for intractable low back pain was better than previous studies with other forms of neurostimulation for low back pain.
The study included patients who had failed extensive treatments and included several patients who had multiple spinal surgeries. They reported not only excellent pain relief, but also great improvements in physical function and psychological testing that were not previously seen with neuromodulation therapy. The results of the study are shown on the right, here, and below. In our clinical experience, these results are readily reproducible and have been maintained over time.
After experiencing continued impressive results with DRG-S for low back pain, we decided to dive deeper into exactly why and how this device works in this manner. After a year’s long quest and an exhaustive review of the published literature relating to nerve transmission and back pain, the team authored ‘The Pathways and Processes Underlying Spinal Transmission of Low Back Pain: Observations from Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Treatment’. This evidence based paper details our theory on why DRG-S works at T12 for low back pain, and more importantly outlines how low back pain is transmitted in the spinal cord2.
Medical Clearance and Hold Blood Thinners Forms
A medical clearance must be obtained prior to your trial of neuromodulation. Although these procedures are often performed under mild sedation, it is important for the team to have a full understanding of your health.
If you are taking a blood thinner you are going to have to discuss holding these medications for the procedure with the provider who is prescribing them.
You can click on the documents and download them for signature.
Psychological Clearance
A psychological clearance is required by all insurances prior to consideration of neuromodulation. This step allows your doctor to know of any underlying psychological issues that would not make you a good candidate for this treatment, or if identify problems that can be treated beforehand.
If you need assistance locating a psychological provider who can complete this evaluation, please speak to your SPNY provider. Our team has established psychological providers who can complete this requirement in an efficient, cost effective manner, many times over telemedicine.
5 lumbar spinal surgeries, an already failed stimulator implant, and years of chronic pain didn't stop our patient from finding the solution for her pain and disability. Hear her story how the application of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation technology changed her life!
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) is a form of neuromodulation which is applied to the DRG, as opposed to the traditional spinal cord stimulators which use the dorsal columns. This patient had severe, intractable shoulder pain after two shoulder replacements and no surgical options left. Using DRG-S we were able to greatly decrease his mechanical shoulder pain and greatly improve his range of motion. This is an off-label use of the device as there have not been large scale studies for its use in this condition, however, there is promise for patients such as this one in the future.
Pre-procedural Testing : Staph Aureus / MRSA
Our skin contains tiny organisms that live on it naturally. Certain organisms are related to infections post operatively, and therefore it has become the standard to test for staph aureus and methacillin-resistant staph aureus.
Treatment for a positive nasal swab for these organisms is performed with a nasal antibiotic and a scrub for the surgical site to be performed the evening before your procedure.
Documents for treatment of a positive nasal swab can be found here.
This consent to MRSA and MSSA testing describes why we are performing this test and how it should be treated.
The day of your procedure:
Pre and Post Procedural Instructions
What next?
The approval process can only begin once the psychological clearance is completed and returned to us.
Once the required paperwork above is completed, it will be forwarded to your physician and the intraoperative team.
You can submit paperwork on Klara, our messaging service, bring it to the office, or email it to SusanC@spinepainny.com
Once the medical clearance forms are returned, the intraoperative team will review them, and you will be then scheduled accordingly.
