Louisiana Pain Specialists and Nevro HF10 Spinal Cord Simulation Therapy

When people think of pain management, the most common pain complaints that come to mind are back, neck, and joint pain, including hip and knee pain. While the doctors and providers at Louisiana Pain Specialists are experts and leaders in the field of treating these types of pain generators, our practice also thrives at effectively managing the “difficult-to-treat” pain conditions, including nerve pain, known as neuropathy. When traditional treatment options, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, physical therapy, and injections fail at controlling neuropathic pain, Louisiana Pain Specialists can offer a cutting-edge, FDA approved nondrug treatment therapy, called HF-10 spinal cord stimulation by Nevro.

Dr. Erik Davis of Louisiana Pain Specialists recently performed a Nevro HF10 spinal cord stimulator trial, which makes Dr. Davis and Louisiana Pain Specialists among the first in the greater New Orleans area to use this therapy for neuropathic pain. The Nevro HF10 spinal cord stimulation device delivers mild pulses at a high frequency directly to the spinal cord to “quiet” pain-causing nerves. This is a small device placed during a same-day outpatient minimally invasive procedure, and it has been clinically proven to work safely inside the body to significantly reduce pain. Prior to implantation, the patient gets to “test drive” the device in a trial period which helps the patient experience how well the neurostimulator may relieve their pain during different activities and during sleep. The trial allows patients to try the therapy using an external stimulator that mimics the actual treatment.

During the trial, mild electrical pulses from the external neurostimulator travel through the temporary leads to the nerves near the spinal cord. These pulses help “quiet” the nerves that cause pain. Patients simply wear a temporary device under their clothes that delivers stimulations to the leads that are placed temporarily beneath the skin. The wireless, handheld therapy programmer lets patients adjust the stimulation during the trial, enabling them to experience the different levels of stimulation the system can provide. The trial typically lasts 5-7 days. Afterward, the patient and their doctor will decide if the patient should proceed with permanent SCS implantation.

Spinal cord stimulation has brought pain relief to patient for over 30 years. In a recent study regarding Nevro HF 10 spinal cord stimulation, 92% of patients reported high satisfaction with the therapy, 86% of patients get substantial long-term pain relief, and after 12 months of using the device, patients report an average 77% pain reduction and a 62% decline in sleep disturbance due to pain.

Louisiana Pain Specialists is excited to add this therapy to our treatment toolbox. If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, contact us today to see if this non-drug treatment option may be right for you.