Regain control

UHS is the first and only healthcare system in Upstate New York to offer Focused Ultrasound treatment for essential tremor

For thousands of individuals living with essential tremor, everyday tasks such as holding a cup of coffee, writing a signature, or even shaking someone’s hand can become a source of frustration and embarrassment. The condition, which causes involuntary shaking that worsens with time and movement, often goes undiagnosed or untreated until it severely impacts quality of life. Now, UHS is changing the treatment landscape, becoming Upstate New York’s first and only healthcare system to offer incisionless Focused Ultrasound technology for essential tremor patients.

A revolutionary advancement in treatment

Essential tremor is estimated to be 20 times more common than Parkinson’s disease, affecting approximately 2% of the population. While some individuals respond to medications, many find that the effectiveness of treatment diminishes over time or that side effects become intolerable. Until recently, invasive surgical procedures like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) were among the only viable options. However, DBS requires the surgical implantation of a device in the brain, often with anesthesia, which some individuals find too daunting.

UHS patient Richard Kircher experienced debilitating tremors that impacted his ability to complete everyday tasks, requiring him to rely on the assistance of his family members. Feeling a loss of independence, Mr. Kircher could not find an effective, long-lasting treatment option for his tremors. That was until he learned about the Focused Ultrasound treatment. And it was closer to home than he realized.

“I started looking into Focused Ultrasound, and UHS was the only place in Upstate New York that does it,” Mr. Kircher explained. “My other options were to go to Cleveland, Boston or New York City, which I wasn’t too thrilled about.”

With Focused Ultrasound, patients like Mr. Kircher can receive life-changing treatment without incisions, anesthesia, a hospital stay or permanent implants. The procedure uses MRI-guided sound waves to target and treat the source of the tremor in the brain, providing almost immediate relief. Unlike traditional surgical interventions, Focused Ultrasound allows patients to return home the same day with little to no recovery time.

Unparalleled precision, faster treatment

UHS is not only pioneering Focused Ultrasound in the region but is also offering the most advanced version of the technology available. According to Simone Betchen, MD, MBA, chief of Neurosciences, UHS Neurosurgery, the system provides “higher image quality, more precise targeting and potentially reduced procedure time.” This ensures a safer, more efficient and more comfortable experience for patients.

“UHS has the privilege of being the first and only facility that has this technology in Upstate New York,” Dr. Betchen shared. “We’re also the only facility in the state to have the newest, most updated version of the equipment. It is more precise and allows for easier use, which makes the patient’s experience better.”

Transforming lives, one treatment at a time

For Mr. Kircher, the decision to undergo Focused Ultrasound at UHS has been life changing.

“It’s really great being able to do the simple things, like shaving. I used to have to shave with two hands to try to steady it enough. I cut myself constantly,” he said. “It’s been a big difference. It’s been great, and I didn’t expect it to be this immediate.”

Dr. Betchen has witnessed firsthand the profound emotional impact of this procedure on patients and their families. “It can be emotional. We take the frame off and bring their loved ones back, and there are often tears of joy. Families have also been living with this. Someone who’s been a caregiver for years had to help someone eat and drink and clean what’s spilled off the floors. You’ve changed their lives.”

One particularly moving moment for Dr. Betchen was with a patient who had struggled to sign his name for over ten years. After the procedure, he kept signing his name over and over again. When she asked him why, he said, “I haven’t seen my signature in over a decade.”

Breaking down barriers to treatment

One of the most important aspects of Focused Ultrasound is that it’s accessible to a wide range of patients. There is no upper age limit for treatment, making it available for older adults who may not be eligible for more invasive procedures. Additionally, the procedure is covered by Medicare, New York State Medicaid and most private insurers, reducing financial barriers for those seeking relief.

Despite these advantages, and the fact that over 20,000 Focused Ultrasound procedures have been performed worldwide, many people remain unaware that Focused Ultrasound is an option. “The shame is that most people don’t know about it,” Mr. Kircher noted. “I have a hand that’s steadier than it’s ever been…and with very little side effects. I mean, that’s unbelievable.”

A future without tremors

UHS is working to ensure that more people learn about this life-changing treatment. Essential tremor is largely underdiagnosed, and many people may not know they have it, Dr. Betchen emphasized. “It is socially isolating, and many people can no longer do their jobs or hobbies because of the tremor,” she added. However, with this technology, that may not have to be the case anymore.