Focused Ultrasound Treatment, Steady Hands, and New Beginnings
Robert Connelly holds a dynamic life in his hands – from fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a paratrooper in the US Army to hiking through Bavaria and going on cruises with Emily, his wife of 54 years. Until recently, those hands were often hindered by essential tremor, a neurological condition that caused involuntary shaking and made daily tasks increasingly challenging.
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To contact the Movement Disorders Program at Rhode Island Hospital, call 401-444-6528.
Today, thanks to the skilled neurosurgeons with the Movement Disorders Program at Rhode Island Hospital, Connelly's life is in much steadier hands. He is the first patient at Rhode Island Hospital to receive focused ultrasound procedures on both hands through the program.
For years, Connelly's life was overshadowed by the daily struggles of essential tremor, which can cause involuntary shaking of the hand, head or voice, making simple tasks like eating or using a computer more difficult.
Many Treatments, But No Lasting Relief
Despite receiving various treatments at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, including medications and electrotherapy, nothing offered lasting relief. Recognizing the need for more specialized care, the Veterans Affairs Department referred Connelly to the experts at the Movement Disorders Program at Rhode Island Hospital.
“Many veterans have difficulty just going to the VA, and many more aren’t aware that the VA will refer patients to specialists,” said Connelly, who encourages fellow veterans to seek the medical care they need.
The Impact of Focused Ultrasound Treatment
In January 2023, Connelly underwent his first focused ultrasound treatment at Rhode Island Hospital on his left hand. This non-invasive outpatient procedure uses sound waves to precisely target and treat affected areas of the brain. The result is often a significant reduction or elimination of tremors.
The impact of the procedure was almost immediate. Emily Connelly noticed remarkable improvements in her husband right away, from his newfound ability to eat more easily to using his computer without frustration.
“I would encourage anyone who has essential tremor to consider the procedure,” she said. “It’s incredibly inspiring that something noninvasive can have this impact.”
Buoyed by the success of his first treatment, Connelly recently underwent a second focused ultrasound procedure for his right hand, which also proved highly effective.
“I hate to say it, but I’m perfect,” he joked. “Within a day or two, I was cutting the grass.”
Rhode Island Hospital, where Connelly received his treatment, has been pivotal in his journey. Staff members were “very nice and pleasant,” he said, and made his experience as comfortable and effective as possible.
New Beginnings
For someone who has always loved working with his hands, his newfound steadiness has been transformative. He now spends his days engaged in projects he once struggled with, such as woodworking. His latest venture is crafting decorative anchors out of wood and fiberglass. One of these creations proudly sits in a friend's yard.
“It is life changing, not in one big way,” said Connelly. “It is life changing in a million different ways. It’s like being newly born.”