logo
Doctors call for use of spinal cord stimulators to be reconsidered

Doctors call for use of spinal cord stimulators to be reconsidered

9 News4 days ago
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Australian doctors and health fund providers are calling for the use of spinal cord stimulators to be reconsidered after research revealed one-in-four people are having revision surgery for complications. Spinal cord stimulators have been used to treat chronic pain, including back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, and complex regional pain syndrome. The devices are made up of a small battery pack, which is implanted beneath the skin and attached to electrodes. Pulses of electricity are theoretically supposed to interfere with pain signals coming from the nerves. An image showing what a spinal cord stimulator would look like when inserted into a patient. (iStock) However, a study by leading Australian doctors, published in this week's Medical Journal of Australia , found 23 per cent of patients fitted with the device will go on to need revision surgery for complications within three years. The median cost for the permanent device is nearly $56,000, with some patients' treatment adding up to more than $500,000. "Given the lack of supportive data for their efficacy, and a concerning harms profile, use of spinal cord stimulators for pain control should be reconsidered," the researchers wrote in the journal. Lead author Dr Caitlin Jones, from the University of Sydney's Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, told The Sydney Morning Herald the risk posed by the devices was much greater than the likely benefits. "Patients should know they are taking on a substantial risk, that is exorbitantly expensive, with very little likelihood of any benefit." Private Healthcare Australia, which represents health insurance funds and their 15 million members, has backed the researchers' calls for the use of the devices to be reconsidered. PHA CEO Dr Rachel David said while the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) last year cancelled the registration of some spinal cord stimulators and imposed conditions on others, they were still available and being used on patients. "The regulatory action taken so far has been insufficient. Put simply, if these spinal cord stimulators were new technologies trying to get listed for Medicare funding in Australia, they would be deemed too dangerous," she said. "The Australian Government should ask the Medicare Services Advisory Committee to assess these devices and consider if they meet contemporary standards for listing. If not, the Medicare items and devices should be removed. This would protect patients from unnecessary harm and reduce wasteful expenditure for taxpayers and people with health insurance who are effectively being forced to fund this." At least 90 per cent of spinal cord stimulators are inserted in the private health sector. "Health funds are committed to continuing to fund evidence-based treatments which have demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain," David said. The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), which represents device manufacturers has said the devices are safe and effective. Stimulators were "a demonstrably safe and effective alternative to long-term drug therapies, notably opioids", a spokesman told The Sydney Morning Herald. "[Stimulator] suppliers stand behind the safety, quality and efficacy of our SCS technologies that have demonstrated positive outcomes for patients, which are backed by robust clinical trial data and real-world evidence." health
Health Services
national
Australia
Research CONTACT US
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

World-leading MDMA production kicks off in Australia
World-leading MDMA production kicks off in Australia

AU Financial Review

time5 hours ago

  • AU Financial Review

World-leading MDMA production kicks off in Australia

Safe, domestically produced MDMA might be the dream for Australian ravers, but it is now a reality for people with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder after Melbourne-based psychedelics manufacturer Cortexa finished its first production run of 10,000 capsules. In an Australian first, Cortexa has synthesised the world's largest single batch of high-quality therapeutic MDMA, an undertaking two years in the making and produced under high-level security.

CMG enters mobility market as joint health interest accelerates
CMG enters mobility market as joint health interest accelerates

The Australian

time7 hours ago

  • The Australian

CMG enters mobility market as joint health interest accelerates

CMG launches UC-II, a collagen-based supplement for joint mobility Product targets knee pain and stiffness with low-dose, once-daily format Joint health market expanding alongside Australia's ageing population Special Report: Joint pain has become a major focus for Australia's booming complementary medicines industry, now worth more than $6.4 billion a year. As the population ages and demand for non-surgical mobility solutions grows, a number of ASX-listed companies are positioning for growth in the space. Among them are Vita Life Sciences (ASX:VLS), EZZ Life Science (ASX:EZZ), Star Combo Pharma (ASX:S66) and McPhersons (ASX:MCP). While each has its own strategy, the common thread is clear: consumers are spending more on supplements that promise functional outcomes like pain relief, energy support and healthy ageing. Now, Complementary Medicines Group (CMG) is entering the conversation with a new product focused on knees - the part of the body most often linked with mobility decline. Called UC-II, the once-daily capsule contains undenatured type II collagen and has been shown in clinical studies to support joint function, reduce stiffness and improve walking ability in people experiencing mild osteoarthritis or wear-and-tear from an active lifestyle. Dr Brad McEwen PhD, a researcher at CMG, said the formula offered something new for consumers. 'UC-II works by helping the immune system recognise inflammation in the joint and respond appropriately. It targets the underlying cause, not just the symptoms,' he said. 'What makes it unique is the dose. You only need 40 milligrams per day. It is an efficient, well-tolerated alternative to high-dose glucosamine or chondroitin.' Market conditions are shifting Mobility health has emerged as one of the most promising supplement categories in Australia, particularly among people aged 35 and over. More than half of Australian adults use complementary medicines and nearly three in four households report keeping supplements on hand. Pill fatigue, rising interest in preventive health and a growing appetite for clinically validated products are all shaping how consumers choose what to buy. CMG's UC-II has been formulated to address those trends, with supporting evidence from more than a dozen clinical trials. In a six-month study, participants taking UC-II reported improved joint flexibility and reduced pain when climbing stairs, standing upright and walking longer distances. The product is now available through Go Vita stores nationally and is sold under several trusted brand names. Quality and compliance remain key Australia is considered one of the most tightly regulated markets in the world for complementary medicines. All products must be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and adhere to standards set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. That quality assurance is also a key reason why exports have climbed to more than $1.2 billion per year. For CMG, the goal is not just to enter the category, but to lead with a formulation that is simple, proven and well-positioned for both domestic and export markets. With continued growth in the broader sector and increasing interest in mobility-focused products, the company is hoping UC-II will meet a real and growing need. This article was developed in collaboration with Complementary Medicines Group, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

SA disability employment provider Bedford hopes for government funding lifeline
SA disability employment provider Bedford hopes for government funding lifeline

ABC News

time8 hours ago

  • ABC News

SA disability employment provider Bedford hopes for government funding lifeline

Disability employment provider Bedford is hoping the federal government will throw it a financial lifeline to avoid the company entering voluntary administration. But Minister for Health, Ageing and Disability Mark Butler has warned the government does not usually put taxpayer money into a "failing organisation". In a statement on Thursday, Bedford said it would enter voluntary administration on Sunday, July 27 after an "exhaustive negotiation process with the state and federal governments, banking and commercial partners NAB". This morning on ABC Radio Adelaide, the organisation's chair Janet Miller said Bedford still hoped to avoid closure, and blamed the NDIS for its current position. ""We're hoping that we don't go into voluntary administration but if we do, what happens on Monday is out of our control, that would be up to the administrator," she said. "The model has evolved. It's very difficult to make the NDIS model work, it's not sustainable." Ms Miller said the organisation believed its strategy was "still sound" and that it had "a good balance sheet". She said the state government had already put money on the table and that the federal government was still considering it. "Our plea to stop us going into voluntary administration this week, we just need a commitment for that money to be available," she said. But Mr Butler told ABC News Breakfast, while talks were continuing, he believed the organisation's financial situation was dire. "We have been talking to them. It's not usual for the Federal Government to give money to an organisation that is failing financially before it goes into administration," he said. He reiterated those comments later on ABC Radio Adelaide. "I'm not clear that there wouldn't be the need for more money beyond the several weeks that that might give to them," he said. On Thursday, a federal government spokesperson said Bedford had received tens of millions of dollars in funding in the past 15 months alone. "The Australian government has been supporting the South Australian government's discussions with Bedford in recent weeks," the spokesperson said. According to its website, Bedford is the second-largest employer of people with disabilities in the nation, and has 22 sites across Adelaide and regional South Australia. The employment provider was established in April 1945 and has this year been celebrating its 80th anniversary. Employee Kym told ABC Radio Adelaide he had worked with the organisation for 11 years. "We were told that they're going to have a meeting with the president on Sunday and everyone would be notified what would happen," he said. "[We] could be closing down if we don't get the money to help us out." He said he felt "little bit sad" upon hearing the news but was trying to support his co-workers yesterday. Mr Butler said he felt for the employees. "I desperately want a future for Bedford," he said. "We understand very acutely the unique nature of this organisation, it's not just some other business that's got itself into difficulty. Premier Peter Malinauskas said his thoughts were primarily with the workers at Bedford, and the state government's offer for funding was still in place. "The question is the money that we do put on the table, does that best address those workers' future through the administration process or staving off administration and seeing a rebound plan initiated under Bedford's current economic arrangements," he said. "They are the deliberations that we've been working on frankly since May, June. We continue those discussions today." He said the state government's financial support would be conditional, but would not provide details on those conditions. "Not for one second do I think we should question the intent of the people that work there, including at the most senior levels of Bedford, the board, the CEO and the senior management, these are good people who want to do a good thing for the people they employed and the services they provide," he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store