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Procedural Questions

Q: How Long Is the Hospital Stay?
A: Both the trial and permanent placement procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis. At times, patients will spend one night in the hospital after the permanent implantation procedure.

Q: I Feel New Pain After Surgery. Has the Procedure Failed?
A: It is not uncommon to feel some pain or discomfort from the surgical procedure itself for up to a week after the procedure. If you are concerned about the pain or if the pain intensifies, please contact our office and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.

Q: When Can I Return to Normal Activity?
A: For the first two weeks after surgery, you will be encouraged to walk and perform non-strenuous exercises within your physical limits. These exercises should not stretch or twist the spine or back. During this time, we will want you to minimize time spent sitting. You will not be able to drive. Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks or until cleared by our office.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain is obstructed. During a stroke, affected brain tissues receive less oxygen, leading to cell damage and possibly death.There are two types of stroke:

1. Ischemic stroke occurs when blockage prevents blood-flow within a vessel. Blockage is often the result of a blood clot or similar structure. Atherosclerosis, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking are all risk factors that may increase the likelihood of Ischemic Stroke.
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke occurs when a blood vessel breaks, or is ruptured. Ruptures disrupt circulation and increase intracranial pressure, leading to cell death. Hypertension and aneurysm are risk factors that may increase the likelihood of Hemorrhagic Stroke.

Why Does the Brain Need Oxygen?

The brain uses energy to relay chemical signals and commands to other organ systems throughout the body. Of all the organ systems, the brain and nervous system require the most energy. The brain receives nutrients and oxygen from the circulatory system. Red blood cells use proteins like hemoglobin to transport oxygen, carbohydrates, amino acids, hormones, fats and vitamins to neural cells.

What Happens When the Brain Does Not Receive Oxygen?

When circulatory pathways are blocked or ruptured, cells do not receive oxygen and begin to die. The death of neural tissue can lead to permanent damage, and in some cases, death. The American Heart Association (AHA) identifies stroke as being the fifth-leading cause of death amongst Americans. Roughly one in twenty deaths is the result of a stroke.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that induces cell death and subsequent declines in processing and cognitive function. Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia, is widespread amongst aging populations. Nearly one out of every three elderly deaths are the result of Alzheimer’s Disease, making AD the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Figures estimate that over 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s Disease, with this number projected to increase. Though the effects of Alzheimer’s are well documented, the exact cause of the disease is unknown. Recent findings, however, suggest that Alzheimer’s may be the result of microbial infections in the brain.

How is Alzheimer’s Formed?

Brain cells, known as neurons, relay information through specialized sites known as synapses. Synapses allow chemical structures, called neurotransmitters, to diffuse across neurons and relay communicative signals.

Traditional theories suggest that Alzheimer’s disease may be the result of blockage across chemical synapses. As individuals age, fragments of beta-amyloid proteins begin to clump together. These clumps combine to form chemically “sticky” plaques in the synapses between neurons. These plaques inhibit transmission and communication amongst neurons, leading to cognitive decline and cell death.

It has been said that we have a silent epidemic among our young athletes – Brain Injuries due to Concussion. Athletes age 14 and under account for 1/3 of Emergency Room evaluations for sports’ related head injuries. 60% of these Brain Injuries occurred in football & basketball. In the last 10 years, emergency room visits by children and adolescents with sports related concussions nearly doubled in organized team sports in the 8-13 age group and nearly tripled in the age 14-19 group. Symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, headache, slowed reaction times and memory problems are just some of the most common symptoms of a concussion. 90% of concussions occur without loss of consciousness. A player who has sustained one concussion is 3 to 6 times more likely to sustain a second concussion and studies have indicated that 14.7% of high school and college players suffer more than one concussion during the season.