Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation

 

Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation is an interventional treatment for chronic pain and is used in areas that were previously difficult to reach with conventional spinal cord stimulation.  The dorsal root ganglia are a cluster of nerve cells, located where the peripheral nerves join the spinal cord. They act as a “relay station” for the transmission of pain signals from the periphery (nerves of the body’s tissues) to the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain). Put simply, the dorsal root ganglia conduct cell-to-cell communication of pain signals.

 

DRG Stimulation involves implanting a DRG Stimulator that is uniquely designed to transmit electrical pulses to specific DRG nerve cells and modulates the pain-sensing pathway. This alters the transmission of pain signals from the peripheral nervous system, through the dorsal root ganglion, to the spinal cord and brain, reducing your pain.  DRG Stimulation provides the ability to treat specific areas of the body where pain occurs.

 

Current applications include:

  • Lower Limb Pain (Clinical Research here)
    • such as that following spinal surgery or nerve injury
  • Knee Pain (Clinical Research here)
    • such as after total knee replacement
  • Inguinal Region or Groin Pain (Clinical Research here)
    • such as that after Inguinal Hernia Surgery
  • Phantom Limb Pain (Clinical Research here)

 

DRG Animation Video

 

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Northern Pain Centre can facilitate you obtaining a second opinion. Please discuss this with us.

 

Learn more

 

Disclaimer
The contents contained within this page are not a substitute for your own independent health professional’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. Northern Pain Centre treats every patient’s condition individually and provides evidence-based treatments to suit this.  Treatment’s may vary based on this individual assessment and your medical history.  If you would like to find out whether our treatments are suitable for your specific condition, please arrange a consultation with one of our team.  Please note there are risks associated with any procedure, and some are more common than others.  You should discuss the risks associated with any recommended treatment with your doctor. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Northern Pain Centre can facilitate you obtaining a second opinion. Please discuss this with us.