Adcock had to be awake and playing banjo during the brain-implantation stage of
the surgery to assist his surgeons in their precise placement of electrodes in
the brain.
“I advise my patients that surgery should be considered as an option only when
the tremor is sufficiently severe that it is not allowing them to live their
lives the way they would wish,” Neimat said.
“In Eddie’s case, not playing banjo at his previous level of skill represented a
significant life disruption.”
With essential tremors affecting an estimated 10 million persons in the United
States alone, Adcock’s story may have an impact far beyond the bluegrass world.
“The fact that Mr. Adcock, a famous musician, has accepted a role of a famous
patient by agreeing to publicize his successful surgery is very important for a
lot of patients suffering from essential tremor (ET),” Hedera said.
“Many ET patients in the community may have given up any hope for improvement of
their tremor. This example will hopefully educate them and their doctors about
this effective and routine procedure.”
For Adcock, the surgery not only means returning to form but also returning to
his career on the road. The speed and precision of his right hand helped pay
the bills for most of his life.
“I noticed the difference in the hospital, laying on the operating table,” Adcock said.
“… Within two or three minutes I was able to play. So they basically stick it in
there and turn it on and it works. I am still learning to work with this thing
a little bit, learning to trust it, but basically I knew immediately that it
was the magic dingus button I had needed. It is definitely a miracle. I can’t believe it.
“I will hopefully be peaking by the time we do our homeless benefit at the
Station Inn in December.”
