JEFFERSON CITY, MO (April 20, 2023) – SSM Health Medical Group Spine Surgeon Dr. Jeff Lehmen is one of only a few surgeons in the U.S. to offer a new procedure for relieving chronic back pain using the ReActiv8® system. This system uses an implantable device to address underlying multifidus muscle dysfunction by activating the nerves and muscles that control stability of the low back.
“According to a 2021 clinical study, 73 percent of patients with the ReActiv8® system had improvement in pain and/or disability after one year,” said Lehmen, who practices at the SSM Health Spine & Pain Management Center located at 2505 Mission Drive in Jefferson City. “I am excited to bring this cutting-edge technology to offer my patients another solution to address chronic back pain and help them return to a pain-free lifestyle.”
The ReActiv8® device is for patients who suffer from chronic lower back pain and have not had prior spine surgery or found long-term success with physical therapy or pain medication.
During this minimally invasive procedure, Lehmen implants the ReActiv8® system in the patient’s lower back. Two electrical leads are positioned to stimulate the nerves that control the multifidus muscle. The leads are connected to the implantable pulse generator which is placed just under the skin in the upper buttock or lower back area. Twice a day for 30 minutes, the patient uses a remote linked to the ReActiv8® system to generate painless electrical pulses that cause the multifidus muscle to contract and relax.
According to a 2021 clinical trial, on average, people with chronic lower back pain who were treated with ReActiv8® had substantial improvements in pain, disability and quality of life after one year.
Dr. Jeff Lehmen completed his neurosurgical and orthopedic spine surgery fellowship at Harvard Medical School in Boston and offers his patients minimally invasive spine surgery. His medical practice is at the SSM Health Spine & Pain Management Center in Jefferson City. Surgeries are performed at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Jefferson City.
For more information about ReActiv8®, visit Mainstay Medical. To make an appointment with Lehmen or the SSM Health Spine & Pain Management Center, call 573-681-3759.
About SSM Health
SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through a robust and fully integrated health care delivery system. The organization’s 40,000 team members and more than 11,600 providers are committed to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 300 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, 13 post-acute facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
