Living with spinal cord injury pain is not just uncomfortable, it can be life-altering. For many people, even after the original injury heals, the pain does not go away. It lingers, shows up randomly, and becomes a part of daily life. But what if there’s a way to quiet that pain, not with pills, but by directly targeting where it begins? That’s where DREZ lesioning comes in.
What Is DREZ Lesioning?
DREZ stands for “Dorsal Root Entry Zone.” It’s the area where pain signals from your body enter the spinal cord and head to the brain.
In people with spinal cord injuries, this zone can get overly active. DREZ lesioning is a surgery that calms this faulty “wiring” by carefully applying heat or current to the specific nerve roots causing the pain.
How Does It Help?
If you’ve tried everything, such as painkillers, physical therapy, nerve blocks, and still feel burning or stabbing sensations, DREZ lesioning could be a game-changer. It’s especially helpful if your pain:
- Feels like burning or electric shocks
- Stays on one side of the body (arm or leg)
- Doesn’t respond well to medications
By silencing the overactive nerves, this surgery brings real, long-term relief for many people.
What to Expect During the Procedure
DREZ lesioning is a carefully planned procedure done by an experienced neurosurgeon. Here’s a quick idea of what’s involved:
- You will be under general anaesthesia (asleep)
- The surgeon locates the overactive nerve zones with precision tools
- Heat or radiofrequency energy is applied only where needed
- The surgery takes a few hours, followed by a short hospital stay
Most patients say the recovery is manageable, and the relief, life-changing.
Is DREZ Lesioning Right for You?
This isn’t the first step in treating spinal cord injury pain, but it’s a powerful option when other treatments don’t work. You might be suitable if:
- You have had chronic pain for more than a year
- Scans show a spinal cord injury
- Medications are not helping anymore
- The pain is affecting your sleep, work, or movement
Conclusion
Living with constant nerve pain is exhausting, but you don’t have to settle for it. DREZ lesioning gives you a chance to finally turn the volume down on pain and get back to living fully. If you are exploring advanced options for nerve pain relief, consult Dr. Rohit Mishra, an experienced brain tumor surgeon in Kolkata, who also specialises in spine and nerve surgeries.