Cutting-edge Solutions to Chronic Back Pain – an Interview with Dr. Hector Cases
Long-term back pain has led too many patients to opioids, but there are better and safer solutions. They include interventional, minimally invasive outpatient treatments like laser spine procedures and spinal cord stimulation.
Hector Cases, M.D., lead physician at Pain Relief Centers – Sun City Center, spoke recently about these two groundbreaking treatments on WFLA-TV’s “Daytime” show. He told host Cyndi Edwards that they offer pain relief directly where it’s needed, as opposed to systemic medications that produce side effects throughout the body.
Spinal cord stimulation
Also known as neurostimulation, the procedure involves implanting a thin, flexible wire into the epidural space surrounding the spinal canal. It is attached to a battery. Depending on the manufacturer, these can be as small as a key fob. The patient controls it with a small, wireless remote. It is fully reversible.
“It stops the pain messages from reaching the brain, which is when you become aware of pain,” Dr. Cases told Edwards.
While the idea of an implant may seem radical, Dr. Cases reminds us that it is only for severe, carefully selected back pain cases, and only after a five-day trial using an external simulation of the stimulator.
“It’s selected for patients who do well with the trial,” he said.
While patients walk out of the outpatient surgery center after the procedure, there is a six- to eight-week recovery period. Activity is limited during that time so that the small incision heals properly.
Spinal cord stimulation can help people with failed back syndrome or patients with back surgery who continue to have back and leg pain form nerve damage, he said.
Laser spine procedures
Dr. Cases explained that the Holmium laser is a miraculous tool that enables carefully trained surgeons to precisely control pain-causing nerves. The surgery is done through a magic marker-sized dilating tube and instruments and a camera are inserted through these tubes.
The laser itself ablates specific nerve endings or can be used to cut away excess, pain-causing tissue. This creates long-lasting pain relief. “It helps anyone with chronic lower back pain – pain along the belt line.”
Watch the full interview here.
These are just two of the many interventional procedures pain management specialist, Dr. Cases can perform on people suffering from back or neck pain lasting more than six weeks.
See what your options are: make a same-day appointment with Dr. Cases in his office, located at 725 Cortaro Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Call 866-572-4655. Medicare and most insurance are accepted.
We Accept Insurance
Treatment Covered by Medicare and Insurance
Our expert medical team can help arrange your insurance and authorization needs for auto accidents, worker’s comp, and the widest variety of insurance plans in the Sarasota, Tampa Bay and Orlando, Florida areas. With these resources available, Pain Relief Centers is confident about improving the quality of life for patients impacted by pain. Download our patient forms today so we can get started on getting you better.
Relieve Your Pain Today
Contact Us
Whether you have a question about insurance coverage, an appointment or need something else, we’re here for you. Submit a contact form or call us at 1-866-572-4655.
New Patient
Are you a new patient? Download our new patient paperwork and save time.
CALL 1-866-572-4655 or SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY
FROM THE BLOG