How long does it take before the full benefit of DBS is apparent?
For reasons that are not fully understood, it often takes several months for the full benefit of any particular programming setting to reach its maximum level. Summary There are more surgical treatment options for patients with dystonia than ever before. For patients with primary dystonia, without fixed (immobile) deformities of the skeleton or tendons, DBS offers significant relief of many symptoms. The major risk is a 2% risk of stroke, due to bleeding in the brain. DBS is a relatively complex therapy requiring regular neurological follow-up and battery changes every 2-3 years. The time to consider DBS surgery is when quality of life is no longer acceptable on optimal medical therapy as administered by a movement disorders neurologist. Secondary dystonias, such as those due to stroke, trauma, or cerebral palsy, may have modest benefit from DBS, but not as much benefit as primary dystonia.
Related Questions
- If I terminate employment and take my DBS termination benefit and return to CalSTRS membership before six months have elapsed, will the termination benefit be issued?
- Can I take my Defined Benefit Supplement (DBS) distribution while on service retirement pending disability?
- How long does it take before the full benefit of DBS is apparent?
