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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) provides pain relief by modifying the pain messages before they reach the brain. The neurostimulator sends out mild electrical pulses that reach the brain faster than the pain signal can arrive. In other words, it outsmarts your back and leg pain. Instead of feeling pain, you feel a tingling sensation.
You can adjust the strength and location of stimulation using a handheld programmer. For example, you can regulate different levels of stimulation at different times of the day or for various activities, such as walking, sleeping, or sitting.
Benefits of spinal cord stimulation include:
- Significant and sustained reduction in chronic pain
- Improved ability to function and participate in activities of daily living
- Less oral pain medication needed
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Conditions often treated with spinal cord stimulation include:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Failed Back Syndrome
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated disc
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica
- Diabetic Peripheral neuropathy
- Post Herpetic Syndrome/Shingles
- Facial Pain
We offer spinal cord stimulator trails onsite in our innovative procedure suites.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Trail
What Can I Expect From A Spianl Cord Trial?
With this trial, you will have a reasonable idea of what your results might be before you have the device implanted.
During the trial, you can:
- Assess how well the spinal cord stimulator relieves your pain during different activities
- Understand how the system components work and feel the varied levels of stimulation that the system can provide
- Decide if you want to go on to have the long-term therapy
During the screening trial your doctor may restrict certain activities, such as:
- Taking a shower or bath or submerging your body in water (you may have a sponge bath)
- Physical activity levels that are more than moderate
- Lifting more than 5 pounds
- Reaching over your head, turning side to side, stretching, climbing, or extended reaching
- Bending forward, backward, or from side to side
- Climbing too many stairs or sitting for too long at one time
- Sexual activity
- Operating power equipment or heavy machinery
- Having your back manipulated by a chiropractor or a healthcare provider
If you are uncomfortable during the screening trial, you can have the system removed.
Complications can occur with the screening trial and may include infection and movement of the leads within the epidural space.
Implantation of Spinal Cord Stimulator
If you and your doctor decide to move forward with neurostimulation therapy to treat your chronic pain, the system will be implanted during a surgical procedure. This procedure is most often performed in a hospital on an outpatient basis.
The procedure takes approximately 1 to 3 hours.
What to Expect During the First Weeks of Recovery
The recovery time after getting the therapy is usually short, about 6-8 weeks. You may experience some initial discomfort and limits on movements. Be sure to listen to your body and follow your doctor's instructions.
After a few weeks, it's a good idea to try some activities you enjoy, such as going for a walk, riding your bike, going to a movie, or watching a ball game. Then, set some goals for other activities you'd like to try or tasks you'd like to accomplish.
Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) offer patients an advanced pain strategy to manage chronic pain associated with multiple conditions. Modern Pain Consultants offers this revolutionary treatment to reduce pain, improve quality of life, and decrease medication use.
At Modern Pain Consultants, we understand that not every therapy is appropriate for every patient. One of the most advantageous components of spinal cord stimulation is the ability to TRAIL the therapy prior to implantation. After the trail, YOU DECIDE if neuromodulation is the RIGHT therapy for YOU.
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Spine Specialists