Motor Cortex Stimulation

Conveniently Located to Serve Dallas, Fort Worth, and the entire State of Texas

Motor cortex stimulation in Dallas and Fort Worth is a treatment option for patients with treatment-resistant depression and pain. While motor cortex stimulation cannot cure pain, it can provide the significant relief that the patient needs to make the issue manageable.

How Does Motor Cortex Stimulation Work?

Motor cortex stimulation is a form of neuromodulation, which is a class of procedures that involve placing electrodes in or on the brain and stimulating the brain to change its function. In the case of motor cortex stimulation, the electrodes are placed on the surface of the brain. The electrodes help to control pain signals being sent to the brain. While the procedure has been shown to be effective, it has not yet been approved by the FDA. As a result, not all insurance companies will pay for this procedure.

Because motor cortex stimulation is a reversible procedure that does not involve permanent tissue ablation, it is often considered before ablative pain-control techniques.

Am I A Good Candidate?

Motor cortex stimulation is a treatment option for individuals who have not found relief through other treatment options, such as nerve blocks, oral medications, and injections.

Many types of issues can be addressed with the help of this procedure, including neuropathic facial pain, dysphagia, intractable pain, and chronic refractory pain. In particular, individuals who suffer from post-stroke pain and atypical varieties of trigeminal neuralgia can benefit from motor cortex stimulation.

Your Motor Cortex Stimulation Consultation

Patients in need of motor cortex stimulation must schedule a consultation with Dr. Pouratian. This consultation will involve questions about the patient’s medical history and current health. Dr. Pouratian and the patient will discuss the issues to be treated in great detail.

Dr. Pouratian will also go over the details of the motor cortex stimulation procedure to make sure that the patient is as informed as possible. This will include preparation, the steps involved, and recovery/aftercare directions.

If the patient has any questions or concerns regarding motor cortex stimulation, Dr. Pouratian will be happy to address them. Everything can be discussed, from the cost of the procedure to how the patient can best prepare for it.

The Procedure

Motor cortex stimulation is a two stage procedure.

• Stage one – Prior to the procedure, a detailed MRI will be taken of the brain. This MRI will be used to precisely plot the areas of the brain that will be targeted during the second stage.
• Stage two – The patient will be anesthetized and the neurosurgeon will precisely implant the electrodes using the detailed images of the brain taken prior to the surgery as a roadmap. During the surgery, additional testing is done, including recording from the brain as nerves in the arm are stimulated and directly stimulating the brain to make sure the electrodes are placed over the motor cortex.

The implanted electrodes are connected to stimulators used to control the stimulation. The implantable pulse generator (IPG) is implanted in a separate additional surgery, usually 10-14 days after the initial surgery. The patient is able to go home the same day after that surgery. Motor cortex stimulation requires the off-label use of a device.

Motor Cortex Stimulation Aftercare

Following the treatment session, a hospital stay of one to two days will be required. Patients will be given aftercare instructions, which should be followed as closely as possible. The recovery period following the procedure should involve a great deal of rest.

For a month, patients must stay home from work and cannot drive. Chemical products like hair dye should be avoided, as should wigs, since these can both potentially lead to infections during healing.

Any medications that patients are currently taking for pain management should be taken as normal during motor cortex stimulation recovery. These medications can be decreased as directed.

Around 10 to 14 days from the day of the procedure, patients will come in to have sutures or staples carefully removed. At this time, Dr. Pouratian can check on the healing process.

Electrode stimulation settings will be adjusted as needed during follow-up appointments with Dr. Pouratian. The IPG will need replacement, typically every three years or so.

After implantation, it can take a period of six months for the patient to receive the full benefits of motor cortex stimulation. Roughly 30-50% of patients who undergo motor cortex stimulation experience relief from their chronic pain.

Schedule Your Consultation

Patients who want to learn more about motor cortex stimulation in Dallas and Fort Worth can contact us today. Scheduling an informative consultation with Dr. Pouratian is the best way to ensure that this state-of-the-art procedure is right for you.