Surgical Options for Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Guide and Potential Complications
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease that affects the protective coating around nerves throughout the body, including those in the brain. While there is no cure for MS, several surgical procedures can help manage specific symptoms and improve the quality of life for those living with the condition.
One such procedure is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a neurosurgical technique used to control movement disorders related to neurological diseases. In select MS patients with severe movement symptoms such as tremor, DBS can be considered. Adjustable stimulation can help control tremors and improve quality of life, potentially reducing the need for medications. The procedure is reversible by device removal if needed, but like all surgeries, it carries risks such as bleeding, swelling, infection, stroke, and seizure, although these are rare.
Orthopedic surgeries, such as Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) or Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA), may be performed when conservative treatments fail to relieve pain or restore function in MS patients experiencing joint degeneration or secondary musculoskeletal issues. These procedures can significantly improve pain, range of motion, and quality of life when osteoarthritis or joint damage is severe. However, MS patients may have a higher comorbidity burden around the time of surgery, and hospitalization rates may temporarily rise postoperatively before returning to baseline.
Other necessary surgeries for treating comorbid conditions in MS patients are generally safe with proper management. Recent studies show no significant difference in 30-day or 365-day mortality between MS and non-MS patients undergoing elective or acute surgeries.
Rhizotomy, a surgical option for MS that can help address facial pain by cutting away a section of a nerve, is another option for managing symptoms. However, it causes the face to become numb. The baclofen pump, when placed near the spinal cord, automatically injects baclofen on a regular basis, offering long-lasting results with minimal intervention for muscle relaxation. A person with a baclofen pump may experience reduced side effects compared to the oral version.
In conclusion, surgical treatments in MS primarily target symptom relief and comorbidity management rather than the MS disease process itself. Careful preoperative evaluation is essential, but MS should not exclude patients from necessary surgical interventions given the evidence of overall safety and potential quality-of-life benefits. A person living with MS should discuss their situation with their doctor to determine whether surgery is the best course of action to minimize the severity of their MS symptoms.
- Sclerosis, being a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis, requires careful treatment as the nervous system surgeries are complicated and involve delicate parts of the nervous system.
- For a naive persona unaware of health-and-wellness aspects related to medical-conditions such as multiple sclerosis, understanding therapies-and-treatments such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) could be vital for managing symptoms.
- Science continues to develop various treatments for neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, one of them being Orthopedic surgeries like Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) or Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA), which, although carry risks, can improve the quality of life for MS patients.
- Treatment options like Rhizotomy, which is a surgical method to address facial pain in MS patients, or the baclofen pump implantation to manage muscle relaxation, are examples of the multiple surgical procedures available in the health-and-wellness sector for managing multiple sclerosis symptoms.
- Despite the intricate nature of multiple sclerosis and the associated surgeries, recent studies have shown that surgeries for treating comorbid conditions in MS patients are relatively safe with proper management, with no significant difference in mortality rates between MS and non-MS patients.
- For a person living with multiple sclerosis, collaboration with a medical professional is essential to evaluate the risks and benefits of surgical interventions, ensuring the best possible treatment strategies for symptom relief and improving overall quality of life.
