Spinal Cord Stimulator

SPINAL CORD STIMULATORS

A Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is a small device, similar to a pacemaker, that uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, arms, and legs. The device masks pain signals before they reach the brain.

Types of Spinal Cord Stimulators
There are a few types of SCS implants, but each is comprised of three main parts:

A battery-powered pulse generator which creates the electrical charge.

A lead wire with several electrodes which delivers an electrical charge to the spinal cord.

A hand-held remote to adjust settings and to turn the device on or off.

The doctor will determine the best spinal cord stimulator to suit your needs.
Who will benefit?
Candidates for SCS include people who suffer from neuropathic pain which has not responded to more conservative treatments. Before being considered for spinal cord stimulation, the patient should meet the following qualifications:

Surgery is not an option or would not help pain symptoms

Pain not caused by cancer

No major psychiatric disorders.

If your doctor decides you are a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator, you may be given a trial implant first. This is to make sure your body will tolerate the treatment well. After a trial period, a permanent implant will be placed.

HOW IS A Spinal Cord Stimulator INSTALLED?

Typically, the patient is lightly sedated. the patient lays on their stomach and will give feedback on where the implant is best positioned to block the pain.

Procedure

Doctors use X-Rays to guide one or more insulated wire leads through an epidural needle, or a small incision, and into the epidural space – the area surrounding the spinal cord. The electrodes at the end of the lead deliver electrical pulses, which the nerves in the specified areas of the spinal cord. The patient will give feedback to allow the physician to place the stimulators in a position which best blocks the pain.

The leads are first connected to an external control to determine if the spinal cord stimulator effectively blocks the patient’s pain. If successful, the SCS device can be permanently implanted beneath the skin, either in the upper buttock or abdomen.

The implant is programmed, and can be modified, using an external, wireless remote control. The patient then has the freedom to turn the system off and on, adjust the intensity of the impulses, and switch between different pre-programmed settings.
Conditions This Treats

recovery

Most patients can return home the same day or the morning following the spinal cord stimulator implant procedure. Your physician will program the pulse generator and give you written instructions before you go home. After surgery patients typically experience mild discomfort and swelling at the incision site. You should not bend, twist, lift, or reach for about 6 weeks after surgery, as these actions could cause the lead wires to come out of place. Do not drive, drink alcohol, or carry out strenuous activity.

This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and links to other sites, AVALA Spine provides general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through links to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use this information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. AVALA Spine is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site.

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