Spasticity
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Spasticity refers to a condition characterized by the abnormal tightening or stiffening of muscles due to damage in the brain or spinal cord, disrupting the signals between nerves and muscles. This condition can cause pain, impaired movement, and discomfort for individuals who suffer from conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Effective treatment for spasticity is crucial to improving the patient’s quality of life, reducing discomfort, and restoring mobility to the greatest extent possible.
Treatment for spasticity varies depending on the severity of the condition, the underlying cause, and the patient's overall health. While conservative treatments like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medications can be effective for some, others may require more advanced interventions such as botulinum toxin injections (Botox), intrathecal baclofen therapy (ITB), or surgical interventions like selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR).
In botulinum toxin injections, small amounts of Botox are injected directly into the affected muscles to block the nerve signals that cause muscle contraction. The effects are temporary, requiring repeat treatments every few months. Intrathecal baclofen therapy involves the implantation of a pump that delivers a muscle relaxant directly into the spinal fluid. This method is especially effective for individuals with severe spasticity affecting multiple muscle groups. In cases where conservative treatment options fail, surgical interventions like SDR involve cutting nerve fibers that contribute to abnormal muscle stiffness.
Procedure Duration
The duration of spasticity treatment depends on the specific procedure being performed. Botulinum toxin injections are relatively quick, with each session lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. These injections are outpatient procedures, allowing patients to resume normal activities soon after. However, patients will need to return for follow-up treatments every three to six months as the effects of the toxin wear off over time.
Intrathecal baclofen therapy requires more time, as it involves a surgical procedure to implant a pump under the skin. The surgery typically takes 1 to 2 hours, and patients may need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days for observation and recovery. After the pump is implanted, doctors will gradually adjust the dosage of the baclofen over the course of several days to weeks to ensure the patient is receiving the optimal amount of medication. The pump will require refills and occasional adjustments over time.
Surgical procedures like selective dorsal rhizotomy are more invasive and can take 3 to 4 hours. Post-surgery recovery includes a hospital stay of several days, followed by intensive rehabilitation over the following months to regain strength and mobility. Full recovery from SDR can take several months, and physical therapy is critical during this period to ensure the best possible outcome.
Benefits
- Improved Mobility: Treatments can significantly reduce muscle stiffness, allowing patients to move more freely and with less pain.
- Pain Relief: Spasticity often causes significant discomfort. Successful treatment can reduce or eliminate pain, improving the patient's overall well-being.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: With improved mobility and reduced pain, patients can engage more fully in daily activities and social interactions.
- Increased Independence: Treatment can help patients regain control over their movements, allowing them to perform tasks with greater ease and less dependence on others.
- Reduced Need for Medications: Successful interventions like surgery or ITB therapy may reduce the need for oral muscle relaxants, which can have side effects such as drowsiness or weakness.
Potential Destinations
- Germany: Known for its advanced healthcare infrastructure, Germany offers cutting-edge treatments for spasticity, including access to innovative surgical techniques and intrathecal therapies. Many hospitals in Germany are renowned for their expertise in neurology and rehabilitation.
- South Korea: South Korea has a reputation for excellence in medical technology, and its hospitals offer a wide range of treatments for spasticity, from minimally invasive injections to complex surgeries like selective dorsal rhizotomy. The country also provides high-quality post-surgical rehabilitation.
- Turkey: With its rapidly growing medical tourism industry, Turkey has become a popular destination for spasticity treatment. Hospitals in Turkey offer affordable and advanced care, with a focus on comprehensive rehabilitation programs for patients recovering from spasticity interventions.
- Thailand: Thailand is known for its expertise in medical tourism, offering a range of treatments for neurological conditions like spasticity. Hospitals in Thailand provide both short-term solutions like Botox injections and long-term interventions such as ITB therapy, often at lower costs than Western countries.
- India: India offers world-class healthcare services at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries. With highly skilled neurologists and orthopedic surgeons, India is a top destination for spasticity treatments, particularly for patients seeking cost-effective care without compromising on quality.
Risks & Considerations
- Infection: Surgical interventions, particularly those involving the implantation of devices like an intrathecal baclofen pump, carry the risk of infection. This risk can be minimized with proper postoperative care.
- Overcorrection: In procedures like Botox injections or SDR, there is a risk of over-relaxing the muscles, which can result in weakness or loss of function.
- Device Malfunction: For patients with intrathecal baclofen pumps, there is a possibility of device failure or malfunction, which could result in inadequate treatment of spasticity.
- Side Effects of Medications: Medications used to treat spasticity, whether orally or via intrathecal delivery, can have side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, or nausea. Patients should discuss these risks with their doctor.
- Prolonged Recovery: Particularly with surgical interventions, recovery can be a long process that requires ongoing physical therapy. Patients should be prepared for the time and commitment required for rehabilitation.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
When seeking treatment for spasticity, it is essential to choose a doctor and hospital with extensive experience in managing neurological conditions. Look for hospitals that specialize in neurology, neurosurgery, or orthopedics and have a strong track record of treating patients with spasticity. Accreditation by international healthcare organizations is an indicator of high standards in patient care and safety.
In addition to the hospital’s reputation, the expertise of the medical team is critical. Patients should seek out doctors with specialized training in neurology or neurosurgery, particularly those with experience performing the specific procedure required, whether it be Botox injections, ITB therapy, or surgical interventions like SDR. Reviews from past patients and outcomes data can also provide valuable insights when making this important decision.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
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Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
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