What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain in the back, arms, and legs. It is believed that these electrical pulses prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Candidates for SCS typically include individuals experiencing neuropathic pain who have not found relief through conservative treatments.
Do I need a Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant?
SCS therapy can be a highly effective alternative to manage chronic pain when conventional therapies have been exhausted. For many patients it provides the following benefits:
- Significantly reduces chronic pain
- Includes a “trial” period to “test drive” before implantation
- Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
- Customizable settings to target a patient’s unique pain
- Reduces the need for pain medication
- Can be used with other pain management treatments
- Can improve quality of life and sleep
- Coverage by most health insurance plans and Medicare
Spinal cord stimulation can effectively treat a range of chronic, painful spine conditions when conventional treatments failed to offer relief, such as:
- Back, neck, and leg pain
Am I a Candidate for a Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant?
Spinal cord stimulation is used most often when more conservative or non-surgical pain treatment options have failed to provide sufficient relief. Often, those who benefit the most from spinal cord stimulation:
- Did not experience enough pain relief with pain medications, therapies, or previous surgeries.
- Do not experience psychiatric disorders that would prohibit the effectiveness of the spinal cord stimulator procedure.
In order to determine if you’re a candidate, we need an accurate understanding of your current diagnosis and what is causing your pain. Reach out and speak to a Spine Team Texas expert to discuss if you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Process
Spinal cord stimulators require two procedures: the trial and the implantation.
Trial Implantation
The injection site is anesthetized. One or more insulated wire leads are inserted through an epidural needle or through a small incision into the space surrounding the spinal cord, called the epidural space.
Find the Right Location
Electrodes at the end of the lead produce electrical pulses that stimulate the nerves, blocking pain signals. The patient gives feedback to help the physician determine where to place the stimulators to best block the patient’s pain. The leads are connected to an external trial stimulator, which will be used for approximately one week to determine if SCS will help the patient.
Determine Effectiveness
If the patient and the physician determine that the amount of pain relief is acceptable, the system may be permanently implanted. At the end of the trial implantation, the leads are removed.
Permanent Implantation
The permanent implantation may be performed while the patient is under sedation or general anesthesia. First, one or more permanent leads are inserted through an epidural needle or a small incision into the predetermined location in the epidural space.
Generator Implantation
Next, a small incision is created, and the implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery is positioned beneath the skin. It is most often implanted in the buttocks or the abdomen. The leads are then connected to the IPG battery.
End of Procedure
The implant’s electrical pulses are programmed with an external wireless programmer. The patient can use the programmer to turn the system on or off, adjust the stimulation power level, and switch between different programs.
After SCS Implantation
After surgery, patients may experience a mild discomfort and swelling at the incision sites for several days.
