Baltimore, Maryland Spinal Cord Stimulator Malpractice Attorneys

Lawyers for Patient Injuries Involving Spinal Cord Stimulators in Baltimore

Severe back pain is one of the most common debilitating conditions facing Americans today. There are generally two types of back pain: (1) back pain that comes on suddenly or acutely following an injury or fall, or (2) pain that is more chronic in nature, coming on slowly but lasting for years. For patients who experience back pain, doctors may recommend spinal cord stimulators. However, the implantation of these devices can result in injuries to patients. At Silverman Thompson, our medical malpractice lawyers can address injuries related to spinal cord stimulators or surgical errors.

How Spinal Cord Stimulators Are Used

Back pain is often caused by the degeneration of the spinal cord discs (gel-like spaces that occupy the spaces between the spinal cord vertebrae). As the discs weaken, they can bulge out of the normal disc space or even rupture, which can put pressure on the spinal nerve roots that run through the back region. Bulging discs are often referred to as herniated discs. Herniated discs can cause intense back pain. In some instances, the pain radiates into the buttocks or down into the legs. In more severe cases, the herniation can result in loss of bowel/bladder control, leg weakness, or paralysis.

Typically, back pain is initially treated with over-the-counter medications, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, or prescription pain medications. If these conservative treatments fail, a physician may consider or recommend a spinal cord stimulator. A spinal cord stimulator is comprised of wires with electrical leads that are placed through a needle into the spinal canal just above the spinal cord. A programmable generator is placed that will emit electrical currents to the nerves in the spinal column, helping to control the pain. Typically, a patient will undergo a brief trial period with a stimulator to see if pain levels can be diminished before a more permanent stimulator is implanted.

The implantation of the spinal cord stimulator leads is either accomplished via a percutaneous approach (utilizing a wide bore needle to insert the lead into the epidural space) or through a surgical laminectomy/laminotomy procedure (where the vertebrae at the affected level is temporarily removed to gain access to the epidural space through an incision in the ligament that protects the spinal cord). The leads are then sutured in place and affixed to the implanted generator.

Problems With Spinal Cord Stimulators

Unfortunately, for a procedure that can often be completed within 20-30 minutes, the implantation of spinal cord stimulators is fraught with significant peril. Recent studies have documented the growing number of instances in which patients emerge from the surgery with mild to severe paralysis.

There is no doubt that the cardinal rule for any health care provider who performs these procedures is to protect the spinal cord at all costs. The epidural space, however, is no more than a few millimeters wide, with the spinal cord lying immediately below it. The cord itself is essentially the consistency of wet pasta, and therefore, it can be injured easily if it is contacted by surgical instruments or the paddle leads themselves with any force.

Many patients have what is called "scar tissue" in their epidural space. Scar tissue can result from a prior injury or surgery at the level of the cord or if a previous lead had been placed in the area and now needs to be removed. Scar tissue often blocks the intended pathway for the paddle leads, and it can make their implantation difficult. To properly place the paddle leads, the surgeon must first free up the scar tissue or gently push the paddle leads through the scar tissue to reach the intended location. In some cases, the surgeon will negligently injure the spinal cord while attempting to free up the scar tissue, either with a surgical instrument or by pushing the paddle lead into the cord itself (instead of the epidural space).

The Wall Street Journal reported that more than 100 recipients of spinal cord stimulators had experienced partial or permanent paralysis in recent years. This complication appears to stem, in large part, from a lack of training standards or guidelines, as well as the fact that stimulators are implanted by a wide range of health care providers, including anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and pain management doctors.

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Spinal Cord Stimulator Malpractice Lawyers

For patients who expect to receive a quick and painless procedure that can remedy chronic back pain, ending up with partial or total paralysis is an outcome that is not expected. These injuries can be devastating, and patients will want to understand how they happened and how to address harm caused by medical negligence. At Silverman Thompson, Andrew G. Slutkin and Ethan S. Nochumowitz have experience with these types of cases, and our team is ready to work with patients to obtain compensation for the injuries they have suffered. Contact our Baltimore spinal cord stimulator error attorneys at 410-385-2225 and schedule a free consultation today.