Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment in St. Louis

Living with Trigeminal Neuralgia’s sharp, electric facial pain can be debilitating. At St. Louis CyberKnife, we offer a revolutionary option for long-term relief.

Our advanced radiation therapy delivers targeted treatment in just one outpatient session, often lasting less than an hour. This minimally invasive approach minimizes side effects and allows you to reclaim control of your life, pain-free.

Understanding Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition that primarily occurs in the face and is easily triggered by something as simple as eating, talking, or even a light touch to the face. It’s considered a chronic pain condition because of the persistent pain episodes that occur over a long period of time. People with TN experience extreme, intolerable, sporadic, shock-like facial pain, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes per episode.

Known as one of the most painful and debilitating medical conditions, Trigeminal Neuralgia is commonly referred to as “suicide disease” because of the excruciating pain and negative impact it has on the quality of life for people diagnosed with it. These sporadic, severe facial pains often lead to stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation, avoidance of certain activities, and sometimes depression resulting from the fear of triggering pain episodes. 

TN Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of  Trigeminal Neuralgia is unknown, but the pain comes from the trigeminal nerve, a nerve that sends touch and pain sensations from the face to the brain. Trigeminal Neuralgia is often linked to the irritation, hypersensitivity, and exposure of the nerve, usually caused by pressure from a swollen blood vessel or tumor, damage of the protective myelin covering the nerve, or injury, such as trauma to the face or from oral or sinus surgery to the nerve. 

Trigeminal Neuralgia usually affects adults over 50 years old but can occur at any age, affecting women more often than men. Risk factors for developing TN include high blood pressure and smoking. People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are also at risk of developing TN.

The CyberKnife System for Trigeminal Neuralgia

The CyberKnife is a breakthrough in radiation therapy for effectively managing pain associated with Trigeminal Neuralgia. Despite the name, the CyberKnife is a non-invasive, non-surgical type of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) that uses advanced robotic technology for successful results with minimal side effects and a quicker recovery time. It significantly reduces TN pain by administering high-dose radiation beams to the precise area of the trigeminal nerve that’s responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. This disrupts and changes the function of the abnormal pain nerve as an effective way of managing the symptoms caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia.

The CyberKnife system’s robotic technology uses sub-millimeter accuracy and precise computer guidance to specifically target only the needed area for treatment without exposing radiation to surrounding healthy tissues. This means that the risk for complications, recovery time, and side effects is greatly reduced.

Benefits of the CyberKnife System

• Pinpoint Accuracy: The system targets only the area affected by the nerve dysfunction, sparing healthy tissue and reducing the risk of side effects.
• Non-Invasive: No incisions and non-surgical, eliminating the risks associated with surgical procedures and reducing recovery time.
• Effective Pain Relief: Many patients experience significant pain relief shortly after treatment, improving their quality of life.
• Short Treatment Times: The CyberKnife treatments for TN are typically completed in one session, making it a quick and convenient option.

Why Choose St. Louis CyberKnife

Customized Care: We understand that TN affects everyone differently. Our treatment plans are personalized to your specific needs, health history, lifestyle, and preferences.

Convenient Treatment Location: St. Louis CyberKnife offers advanced TN treatment with the CyberKnife system, right here in Missouri. This minimizes travel and reduces disruption to your daily life.

Experienced and Caring Team: Our team of radiation oncologists is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care, with a focus on achieving successful outcomes for your TN pain management.

Schedule A Consultation

If you or a loved one are suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, don’t wait to seek relief. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out if the CyberKnife treatment is right for you.