Spinal Cord Stimulators Deliver Continuous Relief

Spinal cord stimulation is a type of neurostimulation.  In this interventional pain management treatment, a permanent spinal cord stimulator is implanted under the skin. This spinal cord stimulator delivers regular electrical impulses to the spinal nerves that are causing pain, blocking these pain messages before they can reach the brain. The implanted device is small, like a pacemaker, and does not interfere with normal daily activities. Spinal cord stimulation therapy may assist in reducing dependency on oral pain medications.

Spinal cord stimulation is used in the treatment of several pain conditions, including:

• failed back surgery syndrome,
• complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS),
• chronic low back pain that does not respond to other therapies, and
• chronic arm and leg pain.

Your Innovative Pain and Wellness expert will work with you to determine whether  neurostimulation therapy (spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation or peripheral field stimulation) or other interventional pain management therapy is best for your condition.

Spinal cord stimulation can be performed in two separate procedures. The two spinal cord stimulation procedures include:

1. Initial trial electrodes. An initial procedure connects an external, trial pulse generator.  This is used to test the effectiveness of the spinal cord stimulation treatment before proceeding to the permanent spinal cord stimulator.
2. Permanent spinal cord stimulator implant.  If your pain is reduced by 50 percent during the initial test period, you will undergo a second procedure to implant a permanent spinal cord stimulator under your skin for long-term relief.

Procedure #1:  Initial trial electrodes

During this minimally invasive procedure:

1. You lie on your stomach.
2. Your skin is sterilized at the injection site.
3. You are administered a local anesthetic to numb the injection area.
4. Your physician inserts wires (leads) through a needle under your skin and into the spinal cord space near the targeted spinal nerves.
5. These leads are then connected externally to a smartphone-sized electrical pulse generator that you carry with you during the initial test period.

Procedure #2:  Implanting the permanent spinal cord stimulator

This surgery is performed under general anesthesia.  During this procedure:

1. You lie on your stomach.
2. Your skin is sterilized at the surgical site.
3. You are administered general anesthesia.
4. Your pain management physician connects the existing leads from the test pulse generator to a smaller spinal cord stimulator and implants this permanent device under your skin.

Following each spinal cord stimulation procedure, you will be moved to a recovery room and monitored by your care team.  In most cases, spinal cord stimulation procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and patients go home the same day.

At Innovative Pain and Wellness, your individualized treatment plan starts with an in-depth medical history and physical exam. Patients are thoroughly evaluated to verify the cause of their pain. After the initial assessment, we develop your customized therapy plan that can encompass everything from medication therapy, physical therapy, interventional procedures, massage, and perhaps alternative or complementary treatment options.  We look forward to empowering our patients while providing a hopeful path to optimal health and wellness!