DRT Treatment Performed Because Spinal Nerve Stimulator is No Longer Effective

Patient Information

Male, in his 70s

Condition/Symptoms

• Herniated Disc

Patient Condition

This patient received an SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulator) implant for back pain about 10 years ago when I worked at Seiran Hospital. About a year ago, the effects of the SCS started to diminish, and the patient could no longer enjoy golf. In August of this year, the SCS was removed from the patient's body, and today, DRT treatment was performed.

Removal of SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulator)

SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulator) is a treatment method that suppresses sensory nerve activity by directly stimulating the spinal cord using electricity to control pain. An implant inside the body (usually in the pelvic area) is required.

Video before the removal of the spinal cord stimulator.

Video after the removal of the spinal cord stimulator.

Treatment Details

DRT Method (Disc Regeneration Treatment)

After ensuring the healing of the skin scars from the SCS removal in August, we proceeded with the DRT treatment.

The MRI image before treatment shows that the disc is deformed due to a hernia. The disc's capacity has decreased, so if PLDD (laser treatment) or Discogel methods (Cellgel or PIDT) were performed, the symptoms would worsen. Therefore, DRT was chosen as the treatment method.

We used sedatives, along with flexible NST needles that can follow the movement. There was no nerve damage.

An examination was performed on the disc, and the damaged area was clearly visible as black. After that, the DRT treatment was performed. The treatment lasted for 21 minutes, and it is expected that the patient will be able to play golf again in about a month.

Director's Comments

About 10 years ago, treatments like Discseel or DRT were not available in Japan, so many patients with back pain underwent treatments like SCS implants. I remember reports that we had the largest number of cases in Western Japan. However, because SCS is an implant method, there is a risk of infection and physical burden, so it must be considered carefully. Now, implant treatments like this are considered a thing of the past.

Yesterday, heavy rain fell around Koshien, so the Tigers game was canceled. I watched the game between the Yomiuri Giants (1st) and Hiroshima Carp (2nd), and the Giants were truly strong. The road to victory for the Tigers seems very challenging. Still, keep going, Tigers!