The Unit of Pain Treatment at Hospital da Luz Arrábida has available, among other therapies, central medullary neurostimulation for the treatment of patients with chronic pain in the torso and limbs. This procedure, consisting in applying electrodes in the thoracic or cervical epidural area, has a hight success rate, “ since it allows a faster improvement of complaints, requires less medication and enables a quicker return to working life”, explains anaesthesiologist Humberto Costa Rebelo . Central medullary neurostimulation is indicated in cases of chronic pain in the torso and limbs region, that cannot be solved by other less invasive means. Such pain conditions are associated with the following situations: Persistent spine pain syndrome; Radicular pain or sciatica; Secondary pain to multiple spine surgeries; Postherpetic neuralgia; Pain post-spinal injury; Pain post-nerve plexus injury; Neuropathic pain post-breast surgery; Pain due to lower limb ischemia; Neuropathic pain due to diabetes; Untreatable angina pectoris of known or controlled etiology. “The insertion of electrodes in the thoracic or cervical epidural region, according to the pain location, is performed percutaneously and under local anaesthesia and sedation, for greater comfort of the patient”, explains Humberto Costa Rebelo. Typically, it involves a two-week testing stage. Only if there is significant relief of pain / vascularization is the subcutaneous implant of the permanent stimulator (battery) applied. Consultations in the Unit of Pain Treatment can be scheduled directly by patients or by the family doctor (General and Family Medicine) or doctors from other specialities. Learn more about the Unit of Pain Treatment of Hospital da Luz Arrábida . Schedule your appointments on MY LUZ app or MY LUZ web version .
