Courtesy of Orthopedic Center of Florida
Post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the burning pain that persists long after the blistery shingles rash has dried and gone away. The surface of the skin to provide local relief and desensitize the often severely painful area. High frequency spinal cord stimulation is a procedure based option where the patient has a lead wire with positively and negatively charged electrodes near the spinal cord via a needle injection by a pain management physician, neurosurgeon, or physiatrist. The electrodes are attached to a battery which causes the spinal cord to be stimulated at a high frequency which the brain does not perceive. However, the high frequency stimulation overrides the pain impulse so the brain does not perceive the pain either.
The National Institute of Health has reported that 1,997,183 was spent on Herpes Zoster and Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) in 2011/12. The cost does not compare to the severity of pain that some patient’s experience when this disease debilitates them. The good news is this severe, stabbing, burning, sensitive pain is preventable.
Prevention of post herpetic neuralgia is primarily aimed at preventing the varicella virus or herpes zoster virus from attacking nerves. This is done by the chickenpox vaccine and/or the shingles vaccine respectively. The chicken pox vaccine aids in preventing chickenpox outbreaks and usually reduces the severity of cases of chickenpox. The Herpes Zoster (shingles) vaccine does the same for preventing outbreaks of shingles. If you know that you have had the chickenpox virus you should speak to your health care provider about the appropriateness of the Herpes Zoster (shingles) vaccine as part of your preventative health care appointment.
LAURA KENT-WHITE,
ARNP-C
Laura is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner who has been working in her field since 1995. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida, Tampa and in 2007 Graduated with her Masters Degree in Nursing from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is Board Certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Laura has previously worked in Internal Medicine, Pain Medicine, and Orthopaedics. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and has received award for outstanding student research in the area of Chronic Pain.
She is well experienced in trigger point injections, large joint injections, infusion pump therapy, spinal cord stimulation therapy and medication management.
Laura was born and raised in Southwest Florida. She enjoys spending time with family and friends in outdoor activities such as boating and snorkeling. She also loves to travel, experience new cultures and meet new people. She spends a great deal of time mentoring young girls to become leaders and pursue higher education.
To schedule your appointment, please call 239-482-2663.
Orthopedic Center of Florida
239-482-2663 | www.ocfla.net
12670 Creekside Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33919