Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation
What is DRG stimulation?
Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation is a cutting edge pain management treatment used to control difficult-to-treat chronic pain in specific areas of the lower body, such as the foot, knee, hip or groin. The pain may start suddenly or may follow an injury or surgical procedure. If a patient suffers from this kind of pain, DRG stimulation may work where other therapies have not—or may have only provided partial relief.
DRG stimulation can change the lives of patients who suffer from persistent pain in their trunk and limbs. Stimulation of the DRG can interrupt that pain allowing you to enjoy the simple things in life again.
How DRG stimulation works
DRG therapy works by placing stimulating electrodes along the dorsal root ganglia. These ganglia are found along sides of the spinal column and are made up of closely packed sensory nerves. Stimulation in these areas may act like a traffic light, regulating signals/sensations within the body.
Because the spinal column has a number of different DRGs, the therapy can be isolated to the DRG that is associated with the part of the body where the patient experiences pain. In this way, the specific part of the body where pain occurs is targeted. This is especially helpful for patients who live with chronic pain in the pelvis and lower parts of the body.
Who may benefit from DRG stimulation?
DRG stimulation may be an option if patients have:
- Isolated chronic pain in a lower part of the body, such as the foot, knee, hip or groin
- Patients with back and/or leg pain not wanting surgery
- Insufficient relief from traditional stimulation, surgery, pain medications, nerve blocks or other pain management therapies
How do I know if this will work?
One of the benefits of DRG stimulation is that the patient can be fitted with a temporary device that will allow them to see what DRG stimulation feels like for them. This provides the patient the opportunity to see if it is beneficial before implanting the device. It remains one of the only pain treatments where a patient can try it out first.
For additional information on DRG stimulation, please Request an Appointment with one of our Southeast Pain and Spine Care pain management physicians.
