When back and neck pain lasts for more than three months, alternating between periods of remission that provide temporary relief for the patient and relapses that lead to frustration, it is considered chronic.

What symptoms does it manifest itself with?

In the region of the spine, the most common symptoms are a feeling of acidity and burning in the body, stabbing pain with a series of short, sharp “thuds”, “ice” feeling, pain with an “electric shock” feeling as if passing through the patient electricity, but also tingling.

“There is a very large number of patients throughout Greece who suffer from these symptoms, while at the same time experiencing exclusion from daily activities that please them, without keeping hope for a treatment that will give them the solution” says Mr. Nikos Haliasos Neurosurgeon, Director of the Department of Epilepsy & Functional Neurosurgery at Metropolitan Hospital. and adds: “Especially in cases where the causes of chronic pain are not known, the challenge for the sufferer can become even greater.”

What are the usual causes?

Chronic lower back pain it is usually age-related, but may still be due to a previous injury. The most common causes also include discitis, arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, myofascial pain syndrome, tumors that have formed in the area, pressure from the peripheral nerve, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, but even neurological diseases. While on the neckthe most common causes are cervical spondylopathy but also degeneration and prolapse of the intervertebral discs resulting from poor posture during work, rest or sleep.

Unfortunately, as statistics show, 54% of patients with chronic pain do not seek medical advice, because they consider their condition not serious enough, and 66.7% take painkillers without a prescription to relieve pain and without seeking medical advice. proper treatment.

What is the most modern treatment?

“We first start with a series of non-invasive treatments such as physical therapy, steroid injection and pain medication to better manage the patient’s pain. But in the event that he cannot be relieved, we have an even stronger medical “weapon” at our disposal to help him, the electrical nerve stimulation which is the most modern way of dealing with the problem. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that has been producing excellent results for several years, in thousands of patients.

To relieve the spine, we proceed with the method Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), a technique that has been constantly evolving in recent years. The goal of neurostimulation is to reduce or stop the pain stimulus, from the point where it starts and before it reaches the brain.

In fact, neurostimulation of the spinal cord, according to numerous studies, has a success rate of 60-80%. While, it significantly improves their quality of life, reduces the amount and frequency of pain medication treatment and the complications caused by their long-term intake”, the expert points out.

How is spinal cord neurostimulation performed and what are the advantages of this specific procedure?

“In order to achieve spinal cord stimulation, one or more electrodes are implanted in the patient, under local anesthesia and under fluoroscopic guidance, in the epidural space, in the back, within the spinal canal and above the dura mater of the spinal cord, where the nerves from the specific point where the pain starts.

The electrodes are connected to an implantable generator, which generates electricity and is applied through the electrodes to the appropriate areas of the spinal cord, sending mild electrical pulses that interrupt pain signals as they travel to the brain. These electrical pulses mask the pain signals, so instead of pain, the patient feels a mild and pleasant numbing sensation.

In the first phase, we start with trial placementin order to determine the effectiveness in the patient’s body and depending on the result, the permanent device placementhe explains.

“Surgery under local anesthesia has the advantage of patient cooperation in placing the electrode in the appropriate area of ​​the spine, to relieve symptoms and to regulate the neurostimulator. It also allows for a short total hospital stay.” completes.

How is the neurostimulatory system programmed?

“The programming of the system is done telemetrically with a special programmer, which can be controlled by the patient himself, having his own pocket programming. Specifically, he can turn the stimulator on, off, and on while he has it in his pocket or strapped to his belt.

The patient is allowed to get up and walk already on the first day after the operation. While, in the following days, training is provided by qualified staff, in order for the patient to become fully familiar with the pocket programmer”, notes Mr. Haliasos.

When are the results evaluated?

“Trial neurostimulation usually lasts 1-3 weeks. At the end of the period agreed with the doctor, an appointment is made for the removal of the electrode at the outpatient clinic, where the effectiveness of the method is evaluated.

In case of a positive evaluation, the permanent implantation of an internal neurostimulation device, under the skin, is planned, which is also done with local anesthesia, making the method suitable even for patients with serious health problems.

In the event that a satisfactory result is not achieved, then the electrodes that were placed are simply withdrawn. It is a completely reversible treatment, as each neurostimulation system can be removed at any time in case of need, without any side effects,” concludes Mr. Haliasos.

*His Neurosurgery Clinic Metropolitan Hospital has experienced medical staff and the most modern technological equipment, for the consultation and treatment of each patient individually, according to his own needs. The goal of the medical and nursing staff is to be next to the patient and offer comprehensive services for diagnosis, monitoring, hospitalization and treatment of inpatients and outpatients with neurological diseases.