WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SURGERY?
DBS Therapy for dystonia is a symptom treatment that requires ongoing involvement from you and your healthcare team to be successful. Following the implantation of the Medtronic DBS system, the patient should work closely with their team to make sure the therapy meets their specific needs.
THE RECOVERY PROCESS
The length of hospitalisation for implantation of the DBS system varies, but is often just a few days for the pre-operative tests and implant surgery.
After the surgery, the doctor or nurse will give instructions about care at home. These instructions often include information about medications, the healing process after surgery, and when to return to daily activities.
Making a full recovery from surgery is a process that can take several weeks. During the healing process, there may be some discomfort at the incision sites on your scalp, and at the implant site(s) for the neurostimulator(s). if there are unusual symptoms, contact a doctor.
The doctor will decide when to turn on the neurostimulator. It's usually turned on after healing is complete (several weeks).
Daily Activities and Exercise
During the recovery, follow the doctor's instructions about activities that include bending the neck, raising the arms over the shoulders, or strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects.
Checkups and Monitoring
There may not be immediately discernible symptom relief from the treatment. In fact, it may take 12 to 18 months after the procedure to reach maximum effect. Visits the clinic for initial programming after surgery and periodic adjustments are a routine part of DBS therapy.
During these checkups, the doctor may evaluate the comfort and range of motion in the area of the neurostimulator and extension. The may also have an X-ray to check placement of the neurostimulation system.
If there are any unusual symptoms that may be related to the neurostimulator, contact the doctor.
Adjusting Stimulation Levels
The clinician will program your neurostimulator to best manage the symptoms while minimising side effects. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to achieve the better symptom control. It may require several visits to adjust the stimulation before the right settings are determined.
Activities to Avoid or Use Caution During DBS
Loss of coordination is a potential side effect of DBS therapy. Patients should exercise reasonable caution when participating in activities requiring coordination, including those that they were able to perform prior to receiving DBS therapy (eg, swimming).
For the most part, everyday activities shouldn't interfere with or damage your DBS system. Here are some common ones to avoid. See the patient manual for a for a full list, or speak to the doctor.
AVOID BENDING, TWISTING, STRETCHING
Avoid activities that could place stress on the implanted components of the DBS system. Activities that include sudden, excessive, or repetitive bending, twisting or stretching may cause parts of the system to break or move. Talk with a doctor about what activities are safe.
SECURITY DEVICES AND METAL DETECTORS
Walking through some theft detectors or security gates, like those at airports and department stores, may increase the stimulation or turn off the neurostimulator.
Before walking through a security gate, show the Medtronic Device Identification Card to security and request a hand search. If a security wand is used, ask the security personnel to avoid placing it over the neurostimulator.
If you must pass through a gate, walk through the center at a normal pace, and don't lean on or linger at the gate.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Most household appliances and electronic devices that work properly and are properly grounded, like computers, will not interfere with the deep brain stimulation system.