Wii technology pain relief implant

News of an exciting advance in pain management pioneered in the UK at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London!

A patient has been fitted with a neurostimulator delivering electrical signals through wires implanted in his spinal cord to help mask pain signals and provide substantial pain relief. The neurostimulator device has an inbuilt motion sensor, similar to those found in a Nintendo Wii or iPhone and uses the force and direction of gravity to sense the patient's position and to vary the level of stimulation as the patient moves.

The patient in question, Robert Mason, 35, from Berkshire, had endured severe and constant back and leg pain following an accident eight years ago. He expressed his delight at the results describing his pain as having reduced from eight out of ten to just four out of ten. At present the neurostimulator will only be suitable for patients with unresolved severe back and leg pain, but has been described as a very welcome breakthrough and could potentially help thousands of patients each year.

We know that chronic back pain, or indeed chronic pain of any nature, can be extremely debilitating and sadly pain management is not always completely effective. Pain is very subjective and can cause both physical and emotional reactions affecting all aspects of daily life, not just for the patients themselves, but also for their families and those caring for them. We hope that the neurostimulator can make a major difference to as many as possible.