Jocelyn Idema, DO, implanted a Spectra WaveWriter Spinal Cord Stimulator system in a military veteran to relieve his chronic pain.
Here are four things to know.
1. Dr. Idema is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at Washington, Pa.-based Advanced Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation.
2. Decorated military veteran Technical Sergeant Matthew Heist had a right arm amputation and severe chronic pain after a motorcycle accident. After the accident, he underwent surgery to have Boston Scientific's Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator system implanted.
3. The Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator worked until the character of his pain changed over time. The military prescribed TSgt Heist with Fentanyl in addition to his 21 other medications; however, he continued to suffer from chronic pain.
4. Dr. Idema and her team exchanged TSgt Heist's Spectra SCS with Boston Scientific's new WaveWriter system, the first and only FDA-approved system to combine paresthesia-based and sub-perception therapy.
Dr. Idema is speaking at Becker's 16th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference on June 14 in Chicago. Learn more and register here.
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