Your Health f 15
by Mary Beth Schwartz
It is estimated that almost 100 million people in this country are affected by some type of chronic pain. Annually, this adds up to $635 billion in lost productivity and medical treatment. Pain sufferers often try multiple treatments without relief. And, unfortunately, this pain interferes with one’s daily routine. In our area, those suffering from pain can consult leading doctors Scott J. Loev, D.O. and Steven M. Falowski, M.D. of the St. Luke’s University Health Network to receive chronic pain treatment.
Dr. Loev is affiliated with St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates. He serves as Medical Director and Interventional Pain Specialist. The doctor also is an adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, for Temple University School of Medicine. Dr. Loev went to medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at GSBS-Statford Division/UMDNJ. His residency was at Temple University School of Medicine. Dr. Loev chose the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine for his fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine.
“I am a great believer in doing the right thing for my patients. Some clearly need interventional treatment, but for others, the cause of the pain isn’t that obvious. For those patients, our services are diagnostic, and in some cases, I refer my patients to a neurologist, surgeon, or other specialists for more targeted treatment. It isn’t unusual for me to work out a medication management plan, supplemented by physical therapy, for example—whatever helps the patient,” Dr. Loev says.
At St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates, patients are treated by fellowship trained physicians. In fact, Dr. Loev was awarded the 2010 Purdue Partners Against Pain, which recognizes professionals who have made strides in the pain research, management, or improving quality of life for those with chronic pain. Patients can receive treatment for a range of conditions, including neck, back, joint, and shingles pain, sciatica, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis. Some patients have peripheral neuropathy, and do not feel pain in their feet. Others have persistent pain from a number of surgeries. Patients also may suffer from CRPS, complex regional pain syndrome. This form of pain can affect a leg or arm and usually develops after a heart attack, surgery, injury, or heart attack.
St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates offers the latest in surgical procedures and medical treatments. Depending upon the patient, there are various injections and nerve blocks. The latest in neuromodulation also is offered. “This is broken down into peripheral nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation. Peripheral nerve stimulation is used for treating headaches and migraines. With spinal cord stimulation, we implant a small device that powers thin wires along the spinal cord. It emits low levels of electrical energy to interrupt or mask the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The advantage of neuromodulation is that there actually is a trial period. Before this is permanently placed, the patient goes home with the device for four to five days to see if the therapy is beneficial. When they return to the office, the device is removed. If this is a good fit, the patient is referred to a neurosurgeon to have it permanently implanted to manage chronic pain,” Dr. Loev says.
According to Dr. Loev, there is a new form of neuromodulation called Burst. “We were selected out of 20 exclusive sites nationwide to use this. It is currently under studies to be approved in the United State from the FDA. This procedure can offer the patient complete resolution from pain if it is successful.”
Collaborating with Dr. Loev is Steven M. Falowski, M.D., a functional neurosurgeon with St. Luke’s Neurosurgical Associates. Dr. Falowski completed medical school at UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Both his internship and residency were with Thomas Jefferson University. The doctor chose Rush University Medical Center for his fellowship in Functional Neurosurgery. Annually, Dr. Falowski performs over 100 spinal stimulator implants. He also implanted the first Restore Sensor Spinal Cord Stimulator System in the region, and the second in the country. Dr. Falowski and Dr. Loev have worked together for five years to help patients in Bucks County, the Lehigh Valley, and Montgomery County with chronic pain.
“I work closely with the company that makes the neuromodulation devices. This helps in improving the devices and in making new devices. After patients see Dr. Loev and have the temporary device removed, I implant a permanent one. This is a same day procedure and is minimally invasive. Spinal cord stimulation, a form of neuromodulation, has been used for over 40 years to manage chronic pain of the trunk, arms, and legs. At St. Luke’s, we have a 80 to 85 percent success rate. Success is measured by the reduction of pain by 50 percent,” Dr. Falowski says.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Loev or Dr. Falowski, the patient needs to have a referral. Most insurance is accepted. Dr. Loev works out of the Bucks County office for St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates. It is located at 1534 Park Avenue, Suite 310, in Quakertown. The office phone number is 484-526-7246. Dr. Falowski works out of the Lehigh Valley office for St. Luke’s Neurosurgical Associates. The office is located at 701 Ostrum Street, Suite 302, in Bethlehem. The phone number is 484-526-6000. You can read more about the doctors, neuromodulation, St. Luke’s Spine & Pain Associates, and St. Luke’s Neurosurgical Associates by visiting www.slhn.org.