Can surgery help ET?
If treatment with medications is not effective and ET is very disabling or is putting your livelihood at risk, your doctor may suggest a surgical technique, such as thalamotomy or thalamic stimulation (Activa tremor control therapy). Surgical procedures are expensive but may be beneficial. Thalamotomy This is a surgical procedure that involves making a small hole (the size of a dried pea) in a part of the brain called the thalamus. A surgery on one side of the brain produces its effect on the opposite side of the body. The surgery destroys the faulty circuit or brain cells that modulate tremor. At the present time, thalamotomy surgery on both sides of the brain is not recommended as there is an unacceptable risk of loss of speech or other problems. Approximately 80% of patients have experienced improvement in tremor after this procedure. When effective, medications may be reduced or even discontinued.
If treatment with medications is not effective and ET is very disabling or is putting your livelihood at risk, your doctor may suggest a surgical technique, such as thalamotomy or thalamic stimulation (Activa tremor control therapy). Surgical procedures are expensive but may be beneficial. Thalamotomy This is a surgical procedure that involves making a small hole (the size of a dried pea) in a part of the brain called the thalamus. A surgery on one side of the brain produces its effect on the opposite side of the body. The surgery destroys the faulty circuit or brain cells that modulate tremor. At the present time, thalamotomy surgery on both sides of the brain is not recommended as there is an unacceptable risk of loss of speech or other problems. Approximately 80% of patients have experienced improvement in tremor after this procedure. When effective, medications may be reduced or even discontinued. The procedure may be especially beneficial for people with severe hand, arm or leg tr
