Dr. Erik Davis of Louisiana Pain Specialists and DRG Therapy

Louisiana Pain Specialists is excited to announce that Dr. Erik Davis recently performed his first Abbott dorsal root ganglion (DRG) therapy trial at our practice! Having performed this procedure many times in the past, we are excited that Dr. Davis is bringing his skills and expertise to Louisiana Pain Specialists to better serve our patients.  Our growing practice continues to offer the most advanced technologies and therapies, and we are proud to lead the way in the field of minimally-invasive, evidence-based, and effective interventional pain management. 

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuromodulation therapy can specifically target isolated areas of the body where a patient may experience pain, such as the knee, groin, or even a single toe. Often, this type of localized pain is difficult to adequately treat, and patients who suffer from this type of pain have tried and failed many traditional methods and therapies.  In these cases, DRG therapy may be an option.

What is Dorsal Root Ganglion Therapy?

DRG stimulation therapy works by stimulating dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). These are structures along the spinal column made up of densely populated sensory nerves, and they act like traffic lights, regulating signals and sensations that travel through nerve fibers along the spinal column to the brain.

Because the spinal column has a many different DRGs, each of which is associated with different areas of the body, DRG stimulation therapy can target the DRG that is associated with the specific area of the body where a patient experiences pain. In this way, DRG therapy has the unique ability to help manage pain in targeted parts of the body where pain occurs and is especially helpful for patients who live with isolated chronic pain in the lower parts of the body.

The DRG stimulation therapy system is made up of parts that are designed to work together to help you manage your pain:

• Generator:A small device that sends out mild electrical pulses and that contains a battery. This is implanted in your body.
• Leads:Thin insulated wires that carry the electrical pulses from the generator to your dorsal root ganglia. These are placed in your body in the area of the DRG.
• Patient controller:A handheld “remote control” that allows you to adjust the strength and location of stimulation or even turn stimulation off

The implantation process for the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator is very similar to the implantation of a typical SCS.  Like the typical SCS, the implantation of a DRG stimulator begins with a trial. After a 5-7 trial, you and your doctor will decide if the trial was successful based on your pain relief and then may decide to proceed with permanent implantation of the DRG generator device. Both the trial and the implantation are considered minimally-invasive treatments with short-recovery times and potentially immediate pain relief.

Louisiana Pain Specialists

At Louisiana Pain Specialists, our focus is on improving the quality of life of our patients. We have helped thousands of our patients get back to doing what is important to them: working, having restful sleep, spending quality time with friends and family, and participating in their normal daily life. We have been successful in caring for patients with challenging conditions, for whom other treatment plans have failed. With seven locations in the New Orleans area, we provide quick access to accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment for those who suffer from chronic and acute pain.