Make Pain a Thing of the Past – spinal cord stimulator – Physician Partners of America

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Dr. James St. Louis performs the first endoscopic SCS paddle lead implantation

Dr. James St. Louis, director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Division at Physician Partners of America, has helped thousands of patients regain more fulfilling lives through minimally invasive spine procedures.

He recently added a new technique to his practice: implanting an HF10 spinal cord stimulator (SCS) with a paddle lead endoscopically. With a tiny incision and just a few sutures, he enables qualified patients to take control of intractable pain where other techniques have failed.

Implanting a spinal cord stimulator, especially with paddle leads, typically requires a large, open incision and a laminectomy. Dr. St. Louis’s expertise with minimally invasive endoscopic techniques allows him to implant the device with an incision that needs few stitches to close.

Spinal cord stimulators distract the brain from the pain signals it receives from the spine or extremities. Dr. St. Louis surgically attaches these small electronic devices to the spine. Wire-like leads from the device are carefully positioned along the spinal cord. The stimulator then sends mild electrical currents through the lead to stimulate the spinal cord nerve fibers. These currents blunt pain signals before the brain can register them as painful sensations.

The high frequency stimulation and design make the HF10 unique. The shape and texture of the stimulator makes it a better fit for the spinal cord, reducing any chance of migration. This product also provides an adjustable range of pulses to better relieve the patient’s pain.

 

SCS HF10

 

Benefits of the high frequency HF10 SCS include:

  • FDA- approved
  • Clinically proven to provide superior relief of back and leg pain
  • High frequency and adjustable
  • Superior coverage on spine
  • Less chance of migration throughout the back
  • Minimally invasive
  • User-friendly
  • Only requires outpatient care

This product is beneficial to patients who have identified the medical cause of their pain, tried previous pain reduction interventions without success, and are not good candidates for other procedures. Based on the needs of the patient, Dr. St. Louis will choose a product that will perfectly suit an individual’s condition.

“I am excited to continue to use the HF10 spinal cord stimulator to help bring pain relief to our patients.” – Dr. James St. Louis

To learn more about our surgeon and the HF10 device, visit Dr. James St Louis’ bio or HF10.com. To find out if you may be a candidate, please call 800-400-7762.

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Dr. Michael Lupi Joins PPOA Jacksonville Pain Relief Clinic

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Michael Lupi, D.O., has joined Physician Partners of America Pain Relief Group in its newest location in Jacksonville as a pain management physician.  He is an innovator in spinal cord and genicular nerve stimulator implants, as well as a longtime fighter against the opioid crisis.

Dr. Lupi comes to PPOA from Pain Associates of South Georgia, where he served as medical director. He has practiced interventional pain management for nearly 25 years and specializes in the treatment of spine pain, as well as musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. He has advanced training and certification in spinal cord stimulator placement, peripheral nerve stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous electrothermal treatment, and advanced EMG training at Harvard Medical School.

He recently implanted the nation’s first peripheral nerve stimulator of the genicular nerve as a treatment for chronic knee pain.

“I was attracted to this field because it is procedure-oriented,” he says. “One procedure can be life-changing.”

Dr. Lupi is also certified as an independent medical examiner and a medical review officer. He is an expert witness in the areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain medicine, and toxicology.

He earned his medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Iowa and completed his internship at Northlake Regional Medical Center in Atlanta. He then completed his residency at Emory University, Atlanta Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

His longtime interest in stemming the opioid crisis aligns with PPOA’s mission to use interventional pain management techniques and tighten prescribing guidelines. “We have known for a long time how addictive opioids are,” he said. “We need to promote alternatives and come up with more guidelines for prescribing for chronic – as opposed to acute – pain patients.”

Dr. Lupi has traveled to Washington D.C. several times in an effort to generate federal interest in a pilot project using artificial intelligence to fight the opioid epidemic. It has been well-received. He is a fellow of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with board certification in the subspecialty pain medicine. He also serves as clinical instructor at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Patients can make appointments with Dr. Lupi at the Jacksonville office, 11705 San Jose Blvd., Suite 110, Jacksonville, FL 32223 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The phone number is (904) 579-1365. Same-day appointments are available.

 

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About Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal Cord Stimulation: For patients who suffer from chronic pain in their limbs, neck and trunk, the options for pain relief can be limited. For some, pain medication works. But for others the effect is negligible and more aggressive treatment is required.

Among those treatment options that are available is what’s called Spinal Cord Stimulation.

“The spinal cord stimulator is an invasive implantable device for the treatment of chronic intractable pain in the limbs, neck Spinal Cord Stimulation,” said Dr. Jorge Leal, a Tampa pain specialist with Florida Pain Relief Group.

The Spinal Cord Stimulator process, a form of neurostimulation, is done by applying an electrical current to the source of pain creating a tranquil sensation that blocks the brain’s ability to sense perceived pain.

“I tell the patients that it works by ‘fooling’ the brain into believing that there is no pain,” Dr. Leal said. “First, a trial is performed and if successful, a permanent unit is implanted.”

This procedure is one that is commonly done for patients suffering from failed back surgery or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

“It is a last resort effort designed to treat pain that has not responded to conventional therapies, nerve blocks, etc. It is commonly described as a ‘pacemaker’ to the spinal cord,” Dr. Leal said.

In order to qualify for the procedure, a patient must first undergo a psychological evaluation.

Our Tampa pain specialists at Tampa pain relief center locations in East Tampa, North Tampa, and Carrollwood are experienced with the effective use of spinal cord stimulation to treat chronic pain. Schedule an appointment today.

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