The treatment plan for multiple sclerosis (MS) isn’t the same for everyone. Doctors often personalize your care to include different types of medication, physical therapy, medical procedures, and counseling. If you have significant tremors, one procedure your doctor may discuss with you is deep brain stimulation. Since not everybody with MS is a good candidate for the procedure, it’s good to know what it entails and if it’s an option for you.
What’s Deep Brain Stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation is a surgical procedure in which an electrode is placed in the part of the brain known as the thalamus and a battery is placed near the collarbone. When necessary, the battery sends pulses to the electrodes so they can block messages to the nerves that are believed to cause tremors.
The procedure was originally developed to help people with Parkinson’s disease but some studies have shown that it can be helpful with long-term MS as well.
Some of the symptoms that can be helped with deep brain stimulation include tremors, stiffness, slow movements, spasms, and involuntary movements.
While the procedure can be helpful, it also carries certain risks. These include infections, hemorrhaging, worsening balance problems, and developing issues with speech or swallowing.
Who’s A Good Candidate?
Generally, anyone who has had MS for more than five years, has disabling tremors, has motor function issues that haven’t responded to medication, and has experienced significant involuntary motions throughout the day can be a good candidate for deep brain stimulation.
Some other factors that your doctor may consider include how well you responded to previous surgeries, and having a good support system at home.
However, not everyone who meets those criteria will be recommended for the procedure. If you haven’t responded well to certain medications, have poor overall health, have chronic depression, or have severe dementia; the procedure might not be the right fit for you.
What To Expect During The Procedure
The deep brain stimulation procedure is usually a two-part surgery. The first part entails brain surgery where your head is placed in a