Are You Struggling With Neuropathy Pain?
Constant nerve pain is extremely unpleasant and can limit work, social life, and the activities of daily life. Neuropathy pain, sometimes called neuropathic pain, is a common consequence of individuals struggling with injuries, conditions, or illnesses. Examples include spinal cord injuries, disc and spine-related diseases, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes. The pain stems from damage or disruption of the peripheral nerves that branch out the spine to the limbs and extremities. Neuropathic pain patients experience burning pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands or feet. Some individuals with this condition need further treatment, as medication is sometimes ineffective. Thanks to the different minimally invasive surgical options available, reducing pain is possible.
When medication has lost its nerve
With neuropathy, the peripheral nerves constantly send pain signals to the brain, causing unpleasant symptoms. Pain medication is the first step in treatment, depending on the root cause of the condition. Doctors will prescribe over-the-counter pain medication, including prescription opioids, as needed. There are also specific prescription anticonvulsant drugs that disrupt these pain signals. While effective in many cases, medication has limitations. The efficacy can decrease over time, leading to stronger doses. Patients also experience unpleasant or severe side effects like drowsiness and nausea that can disrupt work or daily activities. Opioids also carry a high risk of dependency or overdose. When medications fail to improve symptoms or have unwanted side effects, exploring alternatives is best.
Addressing nerve endings with surgery
Surgical interventions can provide long-term relief without the side effects of medication. The goal of any surgical procedure is to disrupt the communication between the peripheral nerves and the brain. A surgeon will cut or ablate specific nerve endings, limiting pain signals. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a typical example that uses a catheter and fluoroscopy to access the nerves. A needle-like device is passed through the catheter, and electrical currents destroy the nerve endings. An advanced strategy is dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesioning, where lasers or ultrasound create multiple lesions at the nerve root. DREZ occurs in conjunction with spinal surgeries like laminectomy.
Gain relief with spinal cord stimulation
Surgeons will also present options that involve a constant disruption or stimulation of the peripheral nerves. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS), for instance, uses a device with electrical wires called leads. These electrodes are surgically inserted into the epidural space of the spine. The battery-powered device sends constant electrical signals to disturb the peripheral nerves and reduce pain. After a trial period, the device is surgically installed in the lower back or buttocks. Statistics show that SCS can improve nerve pain by at least 50%. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is another option that targets peripheral nerves. While working like SCS, the electrodes are placed closer to the problematic nerves. A milder electrical signal is required, but the targeted approach makes PNS effective for neuropathy pain.
Treat neuropathy pain with long-term solutions
Surgical solutions help once medication fails to provide relief. If there are additional concerns with side effects or dependency on opioids, surgery is a drug-free solution. Other options like physiotherapy and massage should be exhausted without success. The ideal candidate should not have additional health challenges that could make surgery risky. Surgery has the benefit of providing long-term pain relief, allowing patients to have a higher quality of life. These procedures, while effective, do come with risks. Discuss the risks and benefits with the surgical team and take the next step to address neuropathic pain.
