Surgical Treatments
Although medication is the mainstay of treatment for multiple sclerosis, surgical treatments can be an option for patients with spasticity or tremors that do not respond to oral medication.
Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep brain stimulation involves surgically implanting a device that delivers electrical impulses to the brain. The electrical signals are thought to interfere with abnormal signals in the part of the brain that controls movement.
Although deep brain stimulation is most frequency used to treat tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease, it has been shown to be helpful for multiple sclerosis patients as well.
The neurosurgeons at Stanford are leaders in the field of deep brain stimulation, and Stanford is one of the few hospitals in the country where this treatment is available.
Implantable Drug Pump
Patients who do not get relief from oral drug treatment for spasticity (or pain), or who have intolerable side effects from oral drugs, can sometimes benefit from having drugs delivered directly to their spinal fluid through an implantable drug pump.
For example, intrathecal pumps that deliver the muscle relaxant baclofen have been shown to be helpful for patients with spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis.
The neurosurgeons at Stanford have extensive experience implanting drug pumps and can work closely with your own doctors to manage your continuing drug dose after the pump is implanted.