Spine Pain Diagnostics Associates is now able to give hope to those suffering with DPN with the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of spinal cord stimulation treatment.

“Unfortunately, DPN is a common condition that comes along with diabetes — affecting millions,” said Dr. Vijay Singh, founder and medical director of Spine Pain Diagnostics Associates. “This is excellent news to patients who desperately need this treatment.”

DPN pain is a debilitating and progressive neurological disorder that can significantly affect the quality of life and functional ability for patient with diabetes. Those diagnosed can have a wide range of symptoms, from a tingling or burning sensation to a sharp, stabbing pain in feet and/or legs.

Spinal cord stimulation therapy has been used to safely and effectively treat chronic pain for many years, noted Singh, who has been practicing interventional pain management for more than 30 years.

Niagara Health Center opened in 1997 at 1601 Roosevelt Road in Niagara, Wis., the first single-specialty ambulatory surgery center in the state dedicated to pain management. Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo

SCS works by disrupting the pain signals that travel between the spinal cord and the brain. The neurostimulator, which is similar to a pacemaker, delivers mild electrical impulses through insulated wires called leads that modify the pain messages before they reach the brain.

“SCS has been scientifically proven to reduce a patient’s pain and restore their daily functions,” Singh said. “We have helped numerous individuals get back to living a higher quality of life.”

Patients go through a complete evaluation before undergoing a temporary trial. They are then monitored closely for several days. Those who see a substantial relief can qualify for the long-term implant, an outpatient procedure that only takes one to three hours.

Singh stressed that unlike surgery, the procedure is minimally invasive and totally reversible.

“This is giving patients hope that this will stop the terrible progression and complications from this disease,” he said. “Prior to its approval, patients were treated with medications, which are often only partially effective and can result in serious side effects.”

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is just one of many conditions SCS can address, he said.

Their goal is to identify the source of the pain and try to eliminate or control it, Singh added.

“We have seen some miraculous changes in some of these people that have these implanted,” said Deb Vargo, a registered nurse and clinic coordinator. “I don’t think they even understand the change it can make until they do the trial and even more so after when the leads come out — that’s when they realize how good they felt.”

The therapy just doesn’t help one physically, it benefits their mental well-being as well, they stressed.

Singh began practicing in 1989, and was a pioneer in the medical specialty of interventional pain management. He has spent many hours advancing this specialty field through research, many publications, lecturing at conferences and as one of the founding members of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

The Niagara Health Center, which opened at 1601 Roosevelt Road in 1997, was the first single-specialty ambulatory surgery center in Wisconsin dedicated to pain management.

Singh, along with Dr. Katherine Liao and the staff of the Niagara Health Center, received a perfect score on their Joint Commission survey performed in September 2021. They are among only 1% of the health care facilities in the country to earn a perfect score and receive a Gold Seal of approval from the Joint Commission.

“We are lucky to have dedicated and trained staff,” Singh said. “It’s very important, as I rely on them.”

For more information about SCS treatment, contact the Niagara Health Center office at 1-888-724-6377 or go online to https://www.paindiagnostics.net/