Ultrasound Miracle: 30-Year Tremor Vanishes, Smiles Abound!

Quick Smiles:

• After 30 years, Orlando Avendaño’s hand tremor is no more, thanks to a remarkable ultrasound procedure.
• This cutting-edge treatment is fully funded by Medicare, offering hope to many.
• Dr. Lloyd Zucker describes the procedure as his “magic track,” bringing joy to both patients and their families.

Imagine living with a persistent hand tremor for over three decades, only to find relief in just a few hours. This is the uplifting story of 72-year-old Orlando Avendaño from Palm Beach, Florida, who has experienced just that.

For years, simple tasks like writing or eating with a fork were insurmountable challenges for Avendaño. His daily routine involved using both hands to pick up a cup of water and opting for a large spoon during meals to manage his tremor discreetly.

At Delray Medical Center, a revolutionary procedure using targeted ultrasound has changed his life. This approach, already approved and available throughout the United States, uses high-frequency sound waves similar to those used in echolocation by bats or fetal imaging by obstetricians.

The procedure employs a device called Neuravive, developed by Insightec, which transforms ultrasound into a precise tool through a headgear system. Guided by magnetic resonance imaging, the technology allows neurosurgeons to target specific areas of the brain with pinpoint accuracy.

Dr. Lloyd Zucker, a neurosurgeon at Delray, identified the exact brain region responsible for Avendaño’s tremor. The ultrasound then created a small lesion, effectively eliminating the tremor.

Without the need for invasive surgery or anesthesia, Avendaño emerged from the procedure with a steady hand.

“Oh my God, it’s unbelievable,” he exclaimed, marveling at his newfound stability.

The moment was captured, showcasing both Avendaño’s and Dr. Zucker’s delight. Dr. Zucker, who has performed this procedure for years, expressed his joy:

“It’s probably the most wonderful thing. I’ve been doing it for years, and as you can see as I start to smile, you can’t take this away, when you see the patients and the families and what it does for them.”

With 79 centers across the country offering this Medicare-covered procedure, many more could soon experience similar transformations.

“He’ll go home, and he’s going to sit there tonight at dinner, and all those things he couldn’t do, he’s gonna be doing. How do you put an adjective on that one? You can’t,” Dr. Zucker reflected.

This remarkable story is a testament to the power of modern medicine and the joy it brings to those it touches.

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