Peripheral nerve stimulation can be used to treat chronic pain in areas such as the knee, groin, foot, shoulder, upper body, head and face. Spinal ganglion stimulation can also be used to treat pain in the legs or arms. It suppresses the pathological chronic transmission of pain signals.

Many patients have suffered from chronic pain for many years and have had to undergo several operations and take pain medication over the long term. For these patients, such stimulation can bring about a significant and lasting improvement in their quality of life.

Both procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques and are completely reversible, meaning that patients face only minimal risk during treatment. Many patients are not yet familiar with this form of therapy, and there is a problem of underprovision of appropriate procedures for chronic pain patients.

Dr Horaczek flew to Nairobi in February 2024 to meet with neurosurgeons from Kenyatta University Hospital. The aim was to prepare a joint neurosurgery training programme for doctors from developing countries.

During his stay, he also gave a lecture and was appointed as an honorary lecturer.

In future, Dr Horaczek will visit Nairobi regularly to teach there.
In return, Kenyatta University Hospital will send selected Kenyan colleagues to Berlin for further training in the field of neurosurgery.

There are plans to extend the project to other Asian and African countries.