Medical first lets man live pain-free

• Sandick Hanson with, from left, daughter Courtney, wife Carol and daughter Kelly is now enjoying living without constant pain following the surgery on his brain. Photograph: Ian Georgeson

Sandick Hanson has spent the last 15 years living with both multiple sclerosis (MS) and dystonia, leaving him in almost constant pain.

But the 49-year-old has just had complex surgery known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) to tackle the symptoms of his dystonia, which he says has transformed his life.

His doctors believe he is the first in the world to have the surgery while suffering from both disabling conditions.

The surgery was made more complicated due to scarring in the brain caused by MS.

Hanson, who lives in South Gyle, Edinburgh, said his life had been radically improved by the operation, which took place at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh earlier this month. Before the surgery, he was left in severe pain caused by the dystonia affecting his neck.

The condition causes muscle contractions and spasms, making movements difficult and painful.

Hanson said: "Over the years it just became horrendous. My neck was in agony. I could not turn my head to the left.

"The pain became more or less 24/7. The only time it was not painful was when I was lying in bed, because my head was being supported by the pillows. But as soon as I rose I was in agony within seconds."

The former call centre worker was previously treated with Botox injections, but became immune to the effects. His own research led him to the possibility of using DBS to tackle the dystonia symptoms after reading about other patients who had undergone the procedure.

Hanson raised the issue with his neurologist, and asked to be referred to Professor Ian Whittle to investigate the possibility of having DBS himself. "I had tried everything else because prior to the Botox I had tried muscle relaxants and nothing was working," he said.

"I was full of tablets. Painkillers just did not work at all.

"The amazing thing is that on the Monday I was taken in and given the operation, and by the Wednesday the pain had gone.

"The movement is not 100 per cent, but at least I can turn my head, whereas before I just couldn't. It makes life a lot easier."

DBS involves placing electrodes into the brain to deliver electrical pulses to block the signals that cause dystonia symptoms. It has also been used for other conditions, including Parkinson's disease.

The electrodes are placed in the part of the brain called the Globus Pallidus Interna (GPi), and linked to a surgically implanted pulse generator, similar to a pacemaker.

During Hanson's surgery, which took almost nine hours, the generator was placed near his collar bone. The battery will be changed every three years.While the surgery will not have an impact on his MS, Hanson said it had already made a difference to the dystonia.

"It is amazing. I just can't believe it. Being pain-free is just fantastic."

His wife Carol said doctors had been delighted by the improvements in her husband, who had difficulty walking downstairs, suffered falls and had problems just turning his head to be able to cross the road.

"As far as we know, he's the only one to have the two neurological diseases and to have this operation," she said. "His neck before was constantly in spasm. He had head tremors and his quality of life was shocking. The pain was constant. That has now completely disappeared."

Hanson was in hospital for five days before being allowed home. His wife said they had been told movement in the neck could take between six months and a year to come back.

Philip Eckstein, chief executive of the Dystonia Society, said the surgery was "good news".

"DBS is a tried and tested treatment, and for the more difficult types of dystonia it has been found to be extremely effective," he said.

"In some cases it really gives people their lives back, gives them back their mobility and the ability to eat easily. It has had a huge impact on their lives."

Dr Simon Mackenzie, associate medical director at NHS Lothian, said: "Deep Brain Stimulation is still a relatively rare procedure, especially when performed in relation to multiple sclerosis. "Only a handful of procedures are carried out each year by NHS Lothian.

"We are happy that his family are so pleased with Mr Hanson's care and the results of the innovative surgery. We will continue to monitor his progress."