Device implanted near spinal cord of an African national to make him walk

For the first time in the two-Telugu speaking States, AIG surgeons have implanted a programmable device near the spinal cord of a 70-year-old patient.

Hyderabad: The surgeons at Hyderabad-based Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), for the first time in the two-Telugu speaking States, have implanted a small, programmable device near the spinal cord of a 70-year-old patient from Africa, to relieve him of severe chronic pain, which had made him bedbound for the past five-years.

The device provides Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), which is a cutting-edge neuro-stimulation technique where the implanted device near the spinal cord administers precise electrical impulses, disrupting the transmission of the pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain, Chief Neuro-Anaesthesia and Neuro-Modulation services, AIG, Dr. Siddharth Chavali said

---

The stimulation is delivered by a neurotransmitter and by interrupting the pain signals, the stimulator enables individuals suffering from chronic pain lead a normal life.

The African national had a history of multiple back surgeries, performed in Europe. He was admitted to AIG with progressive loss of bowel and bladder control, severe back pain and lower limb pain and was bedbound for the last 5 years. After implanting the device, the patient underwent rehabilitation and at 8 weeks post-procedure, the patient is now pain-free and is able to walk with support and with reduced consumption of pain killers, surgeons said.

The surgeons involved include Dr. Siddarth Chavali, Subodh Raju, Dr Abhiram Chanra Gabbita, Dr Suresh Kanasani, Dr Raghu, Dr saikalyan, Dr Vyshnavi and Dr Sameera.