Ralph Seed, 18, from Washington, has become the first teenager in Britain to undergo a pioneering spinal implant that has eliminated his chronic pain. He suffered from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) for five years, leaving him unable to walk and considering amputation of his foot.
Immediate relief from pain
The Inceptiv device was implanted at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. When turned on, Ralph's pain vanished instantly. His mother, Tara Walton, 38, said: “It’s really so special to see him smiling again. Ralph has been through so much but throughout he’s had a great attitude, he’s continued to go to school, pushing himself further. He’s been so determined to keep going, showing such resilience passing his GCSEs and going to college.”
Ralph said: “It was a long journey to get here as the pain has affected my life so much. For the first time in five years, I’m pain free. My mum was emotional and so was I. It’s not really hit me, I still can't get my head around it. I’m hoping the implant is going to help me get my life back again.”
How the implant works
The spinal cord stimulation alters nerve activity by using mild electrical currents to disrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. The Inceptiv device is ‘closed loop’, meaning it reacts to Ralph’s movement, using the body’s own signals to adapt and adjust the stimulation to meet the patient’s needs.
Top neurosurgeon Akbar Hussain placed thin wires near the spinal cord and connected them to a small battery implanted under the skin. The battery sends gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord which disrupt or block pain messages, stopping the brain from interpreting them as pain.
Doctor describes results as unprecedented
Dr Sachin Rastogi, a consultant anaesthetist at Newcastle Hospitals NHS trust, said: “The results were immediate and unprecedented for a device like this. Seeing the impact of being pain free for Ralph is simply one of the most moving things I have experienced in my career. This type of closed loop spinal cord stimulation hasn’t been done in the UK before in an adolescent patient with this type of pain. The response has been so dramatic and that is likely to do with his nervous system being young and highly adaptable.”
A long journey to diagnosis
Ralph first began experiencing discomfort whilst walking, which gradually worsened to the point where he developed a limp. He visited his GP and was referred to A&E where they ran tests and referred Ralph to specialist care. He underwent MRI and ultrasound scans, surgery to examine his hip, steroid and botox injections, blocks of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy but to no avail. Experts even tried psychological support and pain rehabilitation at the Great North Children’s Hospital, but nothing worked.
By the age of 17 he was experiencing low mood and he began researching amputation of his foot, but was advised by doctors he would have to wait until he was at least 18 to even consider this.
What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?
CRPS is when nerves incorrectly send signals to the brain causing severe pain. It is described as a chronic, severely debilitating pain condition which usually affects a single limb such as an arm, leg, hand or foot. People with CRPS experience intense pain such as continuous burning, throbbing or aching in the limb. Even a light touch or a mild draft can cause intense pain. Diagnosing CRPS can be difficult because it involves having tests to rule out other possible causes.
Future plans and awareness
Ralph, who now plans a future working with cars and a road trip with his family, wants to raise awareness of CRPS. He said: “We want other families who may be going through chronic pain to know about this condition and that there is treatment for it. I’m so thankful to everyone for what they have done for me.”
