Many people who suffer from lower back pain can attest that it is truly a frustrating condition to have. Since the back bone is complex, often doctors have to try different types of treatment in order to lower and manage the pain patients feel. However, there are cases when even a surgery does not fix the problem, and the patient is still experiencing pain. This is the time when the patient might want to look into the option of spinal cord stimulation, which uses low voltage electricity delivered by an implant attached to the spine. The electricity helps to block or lower the pain the patient feels. Experienced neurosurgeon Dr. Joseph Yazdi offers guidance on which patients could benefit from spinal cord stimulation.
The Ideal Candidate For Spinal Cord Stimulation
Several different kinds of doctors would completely evaluate the condition of a patient who could be a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation. Ideally, this patient should have undergone back surgery already, but is still experiencing pain, especially in the lower back and/or leg (sciatica pain) for at least one year. If this patient does not need another surgery and is not depressed or dependent on oral pain medication, s/he might be a good candidate for the procedure. Moreover, this patient also should not have any underlying medical conditions that would prevent him/her from having an implant on the spine. All in all, the patient has to get the green light from three different kinds of specialists: a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist and a pain specialist.
Medical Conditions That Could Be Improved By Spinal Cord Stimulation
Different kinds of persistent pain could be lessened and managed by a successful SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulation) procedure. Patients with persistent leg (sciatica) pain could hugely benefit from SCS, as well as those suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), which causes persistent burning pain in the foot or hand due to a deteriorating disease of the nervous system. Arachnoiditis (painful swelling of the protective layers of the social nerves) sufferers could also find relief with SCS. SCS is also performed for other patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stump pain and angina. It is important to consult with experienced and certified experts before undergoing the SCS procedure.
Dr. Joseph Yazdi’s Qualifications
Dr. Joseph Yazdi is a certified neurosurgeon who is also fluent in Hebrew and Farsi. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree on Zoology and Animal Biology from the University of Maryland College Park, he went on to receive his medical degree from the Hahnemann University School of Medicine. He has practiced in various hospitals and clinics: the Toledo Clinic, the HSHS Medical Group, and the Tesson Heights Orthopedic and Arthroscopic Accociates, P.C. Certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, Dr. Joseph Yazdi is also a member of the SMISS (Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery), CNS (Congress of Neurological Surgeons), AANS (American Association of Neurological Surgeons), and SOLAS (Society of Lateral Access Surgery).
