Procedure for stiff muscles
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:53 pm
Not sure I'd want to go this route but it does make sense
New Way To Fight Stiff Muscles
Pocatello, Idaho
Story Published: Mar 5, 2007 at 5:19 PM MST
By Sarah Schwabe
Portneuf Medical Center is now offering a procedure that promises relief for people with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. It's a simple surgery where doctors place a medicine pump in the patient's abdomen.
As KIDK Newswatch 3's Sarah Schwabe reports, this new procedure will help eliminate the stiff muscles associated with those conditions.
At Portneuf Medical Center, taking pills to relieve tight muscles is a thing of the past. Now, a medicine pump can be inserted directly into your abdomen.
"There's a tube that goes inside your spinal canal, but there's the pump itself which has a reservoir and a little engine that will inject the medication through the tube into the spinal column," explains surgeon Dr. Julio Vasquez.
And the medication being dispersed is called Baclofen.
"Baclofen is usually given to patients who have spasticity of the lower extremities, meaning stiffness of the legs," says Dr. Vasquez.
The pump is programmed to inject a certain amount of Baclofen throughout the day. And because it goes straight into the spinal fluid the medicine is more effective.
"If you give the medication directly to the spine, the side effects are lower and the medication is delivered directly where it works better," says Dr. Vasquez.
Meaning that patients lose the stiffness in their muscles, and regain the freedom of mobility.
To find out if you are a candidate for the surgery you can call the Portneuf Rehabilitation Center at 239-1846.
New Way To Fight Stiff Muscles
Pocatello, Idaho
Story Published: Mar 5, 2007 at 5:19 PM MST
By Sarah Schwabe
Portneuf Medical Center is now offering a procedure that promises relief for people with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries. It's a simple surgery where doctors place a medicine pump in the patient's abdomen.
As KIDK Newswatch 3's Sarah Schwabe reports, this new procedure will help eliminate the stiff muscles associated with those conditions.
At Portneuf Medical Center, taking pills to relieve tight muscles is a thing of the past. Now, a medicine pump can be inserted directly into your abdomen.
"There's a tube that goes inside your spinal canal, but there's the pump itself which has a reservoir and a little engine that will inject the medication through the tube into the spinal column," explains surgeon Dr. Julio Vasquez.
And the medication being dispersed is called Baclofen.
"Baclofen is usually given to patients who have spasticity of the lower extremities, meaning stiffness of the legs," says Dr. Vasquez.
The pump is programmed to inject a certain amount of Baclofen throughout the day. And because it goes straight into the spinal fluid the medicine is more effective.
"If you give the medication directly to the spine, the side effects are lower and the medication is delivered directly where it works better," says Dr. Vasquez.
Meaning that patients lose the stiffness in their muscles, and regain the freedom of mobility.
To find out if you are a candidate for the surgery you can call the Portneuf Rehabilitation Center at 239-1846.