Date: April 11, 2025

Affordable DBS Options for Parkinson’s Treatment

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that severely impacts a person’s quality of life. While medications offer some relief from symptoms, they do not cure the disease or halt its progression. As science advances, one surgical therapy—Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)—has emerged as a game-changer for patients with severe symptoms not responding to conventional treatment.

Understanding Surgical Options for Parkinson’s Disease

While having Parkinson’s disease (PD), few surgical therapies can be considered, particularly if the warning signs can be controlled using medication. Today there is no dearth of medicine as the market is flooding with number of alternatives and varying surgical options are there that offer symptomatic benefits. All these drugs can’t change the underlying reasons of the disease. Now traditional surgeries such as thalamotomy and pallidotomy involve the systematic annihilation of brain cells, which contributes to worse impending issues. Although these procedures are performed in specific situations, they are majorly replaced by deep brain stimulation (DBS) which renders electrical pulsations to all brain cells in order to reduce the symptoms. Certainly, with the improvement of medical science deep brain stimulation Parkinson’s success rate has gone high.

What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

Deep Brain Stimulation is an FDA-approved surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and other movement disorders. It involves implanting a small, battery-operated device (called a neurostimulator) into the chest, which sends electrical impulses to electrodes placed in targeted areas of the brain.

These impulses disrupt abnormal nerve signals that cause PD symptoms like:

• Tremors
• Muscle rigidity
• Slowed movement (bradykinesia)
• Walking and balance problems

Unlike older surgeries, DBS does not destroy brain cells—it simply modifies the way nerve signals travel, making it safer and reversible.

Components of a DBS System

There are three main components in a Deep Brain Stimulation system:

1. The Lead (Electrode) : The lead which is known as electrode-comparatively a thin, padded wire which is included through a petite notch in the head and entrenched in the brain. The open ending of the electrode is placed inside the affected brain area.
   
2. The Extension : The extension which is a padded wire that is moved beneath the skin of the neck, brain, and shoulder, associating the neurostimulator lead.
   
3. The Neurostimulator (Pulse Generator): The neurostimulator, which is the battery pack, is usually inserted under the skin close to the collarbone. In few cases, it could be implanted beneath in the chest or under the skin right above the abdomen.

How Does DBS Work?

Surgeons sometimes use microelectrode recording to precisely locate the brain region for electrode placement. The common targets include:

• Subthalamic nucleus (STN)
• Thalamus
• Globus pallidus interna (GPi)

Once implanted, the system delivers constant electrical stimulation to these areas, effectively reducing PD symptoms and improving quality of life.

How to know I need Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

You may be a candidate for Deep Brain Stimulation if:

• When you are having PD symptoms for a minimum of 5 years, you are in need of DBS.
• When you are having on/off fluctuations without having dyskinesia.
• When you are benefitted with PD medications, particularly levodopa, even for the shortest possible time span.
• The moment you have opted for other PD medications for example tolcapone, entacapone, amantadine and selegiline without having advantageous effects, you can go for DBS.
• When you are having PD warning signs without having interference with regular activities, DBS is here to help.

Recovery and Risks: What to Expect

DBS Surgery Recovery Time and Safety

DBS recovery time varies, but most patients return to normal activities within a few weeks. Programming and fine-tuning the device may take a few months post-surgery.

The risks of deep brain stimulation are relatively low. Some side effects may include:

• Temporary speech or balance issues
• Mild infection at the surgical site
• Hardware-related discomfort

However, serious complications are rare, especially when the procedure is performed at experienced DBS centers in India.

Cost of Deep Brain Stimulation in India

While DBS surgery can be expensive, India offers affordable deep brain stimulation options without compromising on quality. With the rise of medical tourism in India, international patients now have access to:

• World-class neurosurgeons
• Accredited hospitals
• Personalized DBS surgery packages
• Comprehensive pre- and post-op care

These packages include consultation, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up care—at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries.

Conclusion: A Better Life with DBS

Deep Brain Stimulation has transformed the landscape of Parkinson’s treatment, offering a new lease on life to patients who once had limited options. With India becoming a hub for affordable Parkinson’s surgery, patients from across the globe are now traveling for high-quality, cost-effective DBS treatment.

If you or a loved one are considering DBS for Parkinson’s, consult a specialist and explore the options available through India’s top medical tourism services.

Written By
Shafiq Ahmad Khan
Founder & CEO
Author
Faster Smarter Medical Tourism in India