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What is it for?
A method for treating movement disorders
Treatment overview
Neuromodulation is a very effective method for treating movement disorders and chronic pain, particularly in patients whose pain has not been managed with medication alone.
Success rates vary depending on the type of treatment and the source of chronic pain. Medical specialists will view a 50% reduction in pain as successful treatment.
Examples of specific conditions include:
- Chronic pain associated with spinal cord injuries, failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and peripheral vascular disease (a condition where fatty deposits cause narrowing of the arteries in the leg muscles and restrict blood flow)
- Involuntary movement disorders such as essential tremor, primary dystonia, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy
- Other conditions including cluster headaches (a series of short but extremely painful headaches, usually around the same eye, daily for clusters of weeks at a time), migraines, bladder and bowel incontinence, sight and hearing disturbances, and some psychiatric conditions.
Are there any risks to having neuromodulation treatments?
Neuromodulation treatments are relatively safe procedures. The large majority of complications are non-life-threatening events related to failure of the device. For example, there is a risk that the electrode(s) could move from the intended location, malfunction or break.
If any of these incidents occur, our specialist teams will be on hand to offer support and assistance. Special computer hardware is used to check the device faults and then specific action is taken according to the problem.
Devices are designed to last many years but will need regular maintenance depending on the system used. Specialist teams will be able to advice of these specific requirements and of the battery life.
Other general risks of neuromodulation include:
- Wearing off of the pain relief (over months to years after the system is inserted)
- Failure of the system to treat the pain
- Damage to nearby structures in the body during placement of the electrodes
- Infection at the insertion site
- Pain at the insertion site.
As with any procedure, neuromodulation procedures carry a very small risk of more serious complications. These are very rare but the specialist doctor will discuss these comprehensively prior to the procedure.
Serious complications of neuromodulation can include:
- Neurological injury either from the needle puncture, lead placement or during the procedure. This can result in loss of function, power or a sensation of numbness
- Puncture of the protective layer around the spinal cord (dura), which may cause a severe headache. This may require a further procedure with a spinal injection
These are very rare and thought to affect around two patients in a million.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis