Spinal Cord Stimulation
Achieve pain relief with spinal cord stimulation therapy which helps relieve chronic pain by neutralizing pain signals before they get to the brain by delivering mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord.
What happens during Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulators are implanted medical devices that treat chronic pain, from a variety of sources and causes, by delivering electrical pulses to the spinal cord effectively masking pain signals before they can reach the brain.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be beneficial in patients that haven’t responded to other forms of treatment.
There are 3 main components to a Spinal cord stimulator device which include:
1 A pulse generator, a small device similar to a pacemaker, that creates the electrical pulses.
2 A lead wire, a thin wire that delivers the electrical pulses to the spinal cord.
3 A hand-held remote control that turns the device on and off and adjusts the settings customized to your needs.
Spinal cord stimulators are implanted by your provider using X-ray guidance and local anesthesia in the targeted area to provide a comfortable experience during the procedure. The procedure consists of a 5 to 7 day trial period in which you test the device and see how much pain relief you receive from the stimulator before you commit to a permanently implanted device.
What conditions does a Spinal Cord Stimulator treat?
Spinal Cord Stimulation is an effective way to alleviate pain for many conditions, including the following :
Frequently Asked Questions
It is common to have questions about your procedure. If these answers are not sufficient, we are always happy to talk in more detail. Just reach out!
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Do I need to be hospitalized for this procedure?
No, this is an out patient procedure done by your provider or a spine surgeon.
- Is it difficult to use the device?
Before the patient has a trial and implantation, education is given to the patient and family members, facilitating use of this technology.
- Will my insurance company cover Spinal Cord Stimulation therapy?
Many insurance companies cover the cost of spinal cord stimulation. However, your doctor will need approval from your insurance provider before you can receive treatment. Talk with your doctor or insurance company to find out what your coverage includes.
- What are the most common complications for this procedure?
While complications are rare for this procedure, there is a small risk for infection at battery insertion and lead migration which is why the patient needs to be properly evaluated preoperatively to reduce complications.
- Can I control the stimulation?
Your doctor will program the settings based on your needs and preferences, but you can adjust stimulation levels using your handheld programmer, which works like a remote control.
See Other Treatments
Interventional pain management involves procedures target and treat the source of pain directly, providing relief without relying solely on medications. This helps to address the root cause of pain with effective and personalized solutions that go beyond traditional pain relief methods.
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Transforaminal Injections
Targeted injections to relieve pain by directly addressing affected nerve roots.
Nerve Blocks
Expertly administered injections to disrupt pain signals from specific nerves, providing effective relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
Minimally invasive, out-patient procedure, in which your provider places specialized needles over the affected nerves.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Cutting-edge technology to modulate pain signals and enhance overall spinal function.
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