STEM CELL THERAPY

Stem Cell in Spinal Cord Paralysis

With the developing technology, stem cell therapy, which has become a frequently preferred treatment method in different branches of medicine, has also started to be used in the treatment of spinal cord paralysis. The aim of stem cell therapy is to give stem cells to the patient and ensure that these cells settle in the injured spinal cord area, can live there and turn into necessary cells. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the stem cells placed in the spinal cord gain function and the spinal cord becomes functional again. In this way, patients can move again and feel their arms and legs. They can provide urine and stool control.

Spinal Cord Pain Battery

What is a Pain Pace? To Whom Is It Applied?

The pain pacemaker is a system that prevents the patient from feeling pain by stimulating a very thin electrode placed at the back of the spinal cord. It is especially applied to patients with chronic pain who have undergone back surgery but whose pain continues. It can also be applied to patients such as persistent pain in the legs after spinal cord injury.

Is it possible to completely eliminate the pain or does it just reduce the severity of the pain? In some patients, the pain completely disappears. In some patients, the pain is reduced. The aim is to reduce pain by at least 50% with a pain pacemaker.

How is the Pain Pace Integrated into the Body?

Pain pacemaker can be applied in two ways. The first method is the placement of the electrode on the spinal cord by entering the patient's space between the spine, which we call the epidural distance , with the help of a very fine needle with local anesthesia . It is a short procedure and the patient does not feel much pain during the procedure. The advantages of this procedure are that there is no need for general anesthesia, that the area of pain is fully covered by talking to the patient instantly, thus providing the best pain relief . It is generally not possible to apply in patients who have been operated up to the back, such as scoliosis patients. It can be applied to patients who have been operated on at lower levels of the waist. The second method is the surgical placement of the electrode directly on the spinal cord by entering through a small incision under general anesthesia . In both methods, the other ends of the placed electrodes are removed from the body and connected to the trial battery. The trial battery period usually lasts a few weeks. If the patient is satisfied during the trial battery period, a permanent battery is placed under the skin with a small operation.

How is the Pain Battery Used?

Two types of batteries can be inserted into the patient. Normal battery or rechargeable battery. If a rechargeable battery is installed, it is necessary to charge the battery from the outside with a wireless system at regular intervals. Although it varies from patient to patient, the normal battery lasts for 4-5 years, while the rechargeable batteries last for 8-9 years. When the battery reaches the end of its life, it is replaced with a new battery.

Can a Pain Pace Be Inserted as First Treatment in Someone Who Has Never Had Surgery? What are the criteria?

Pain pacing is a method used as a last resort in patients with pain. For this reason, it is not suitable for patients with lumbar hernia who have never had surgery. The most important application criterion is pain caused by the damage of the nerve itself, called neuropathic pain . Patients who have had low back surgery and do not have post-operative nerve compression, but whose pain continues, are suitable for a pain pacemaker. If the patient has a low back problem that can be corrected with surgery, it is not appropriate to insert a pain pacemaker. First of all, surgical treatment should be tried. If there is no situation in which the patient will benefit from surgery, first of all, drug therapy, physical therapy and, if necessary, epidural Algological interventions, which we call injection, should be tried. If no treatment method works, then pain pacemaker treatment can be decided.

Does Pain Pace Stop Medication Use?

Candidates for pain pills are usually those who have been on painkillers for a long time. Continuous use of painkillers can harm our body. The main goal of inserting a pain pacemaker is to reduce the patient's drug dependence or, if possible, to stop it completely.

Can Patients Prefer Pain Pace With Trial Method? If Dissatisfied, Are There Any Battery Eject Bells ?

Patients who are found suitable for a pain pacemaker are first placed with a trial pacemaker. During the trial period, there is only electrode in the patient's body . The trial battery is outside the body. If the patient's pain does not decrease sufficiently during the trial pacemaker period or the patient is not satisfied with the procedure, the electrodes are easily removed. In patients with permanent battery implanted, if the patient feels uncomfortable and is not satisfied with the permanent battery, the system can be completely removed under local anesthesia with a short procedure .

Are the Practices Successful in Turkey? Are There Case Examples? How is the interest in Turkey? Do Patients Know the “Pain Battery”?

Practices in Turkey are quite successful. It is a very pleasing development for both the patient and the doctor to see that the pain of patients who have been in pain for a long time and whose pain does not go away despite all treatment methods are tried, and that their pain is relieved after the application of the pain pacemaker. The most important criterion in success is the struggle of the patient and the doctor together with the pain. In our country, patients know about the pain pacemaker, but it is important to inform the public about the pain pacemaker.