Patient stories
Lucy was a professional tennis player, but at the age of 21 she damaged her back and leg and was in such pain she had to stop playing. She had four back operations (including two discectomies, involving the removal of parts of the spinal discs) but the pain was still so bad she had trouble sleeping at night, could barely walk, or do basic things like driving - and she certainly couldn’t play tennis any more. Pain consultants gave her epidurals and tried every technique available to relieve the pain but without success.
A friend of hers had heard about neurostimulation, and so Lucy asked her doctor where she could get this treatment. She was referred to Barts and The London Neurostimulator Service, which is a pioneer of this technique.
Lucy underwent an operation involving the insertion of a small pacemaker - which provided low level electrical stimulation – into her spinal cord. The pacemaker was put half way up her spine where there is minimal movement, to prevent it dislodging. A week later the pacemaker was turned on, and Lucy says her pain went immediately – replaced by a slight tingling sensation in her back and legs, which she says is definitely preferable. Lucy says she has been given a second lease of life and lots of doors have opened. She can now sleep and walk more easily and has even taken up tennis again since having the operation. She is also able to continue with her job as a counsellor for people with drug and alcohol problems.
