Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal Cord Stimulation is most often used to treat Painful Diabetic Neuropathy, failed back surgery, and when other treatment options have not provided adequate relief.
What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Patients receiving a SCS first do a trial to see if the procedure works for them. If you get at least 50% reduction in your pain symptoms, we move forward with a permanent implant. The procedures are minimally invasive with low risk of infection and complications. Spinal cord stimulation can improve overall quality of life, sleep and reduce the need for prescription pain medications. It is typically used in tandem with other pain treatments to achieve the maximum desired outcome for the patient.
Learn About Spinal Cord Stimulation from Experts
Are you a good candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulation?
To determine if you are a candidate for spinal cord stimulation for your chronic pain relief, your pain specialist will conduct a full examination and discuss your options. Although each patient is different, patients who see the most drastic results from spinal cord stimulation are those who have not experienced pain relief with medications, less-invasive therapies, or prior surgeries. These procedures may be used to treat or manage different types of chronic pain, including:
Results You Can Expect
94%
of spinal cord stimulation trials are successful.
81%
have relief from spinal cord stimulation alone.
61%
reported a decrease in pain-related sleep disturbances.
Real Results from Real Patients
Spinal Cord Stimulation FAQs
Spinal Cord Stimulation is used to prevent pain from being registered in the brain. Patients experience a pleasant tingling sensation instead of pain. The stimulation aims to increase patients’ quality of life while also reducing their pain levels. Spinal Cord Stimulators are made up of thin wires and a compact battery pack that looks like a pacemaker. The electrodes are put in the epidural space, which is the region between the spinal cord and the vertebrae, and the generator is placed beneath the skin, usually towards the buttocks or abdomen. Patients using spinal cord stimulators can use a remote control to emit electrical impulses when they are in pain. The remote control, as well as its antenna, are located on the outside of the body.
People who have persisting pain even after surgery or have complex regional pain syndrome have found pain relief from spinal cord stimulation. People listed above and those who suffer from extreme nerve pain have reported at least a 50% reduction in pain and improved function as a result of SCS. However, Spinal Cord Stimulation is not suited for everyone.
Like most other procedures, there are potential risks. Patients with certain conditions may be more prone to harmful effects from spinal cord stimulation. Some of these conditions include pregnancy, tumors, fractures, or spine implants. However, Spinal Cord Stimulation is considered a less dangerous option for pain relief when compared to other surgical procedures. Strong medications, such as anesthesia, are not necessary for spinal cord stimulation and recovery times are significantly less.
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