Columbia (S.C.) VA Health Care System has performed its first spinal cord stimulation implantation, which aims to provide relief for chronic pain patients.
The milestone was achieved Dec. 4, according to a Dec. 26 news release from the Department of Veterans Affairs. During the procedure, the surgical team inserted leads along the spinal cord in pain areas identified during a trial phase.
The device also has a small battery pack, which has a lifespan of seven to 10 years. Spinal cord stimulation manages chronic pain by disrupting pain signals before they reach the brain, and is effective for conditions like diabetic neuropathy, failed back surgeries and other severe pain issues.
The facility has plans to offer the treatment to more veterans who meet criteria in the trial phase, and also plans to provide additional spine surgeries in the future.