SCS therapy can be a highly effective alternative to manage chronic pain when conventional therapies have been exhausted. For many patients it provides the following benefits:
Spinal cord stimulation can be used to treat a variety of chronic painful spine conditions when other treatment options have failed to offer relief, including:
Spinal cord stimulation is used most often when more conservative or non-surgical pain treatment options have failed to provide sufficient relief. Often, those who benefit the most from spinal cord stimulation:
In order to determine if you’re a candidate, we need an accurate understanding of your current diagnosis and what is causing your pain. Reach out and speak to a Spine Team Texas expert to discuss if you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation.
Spinal cord stimulators require two procedures: the trial and the implantation.
The injection site is anesthetized. One or more insulated wire leads are inserted through an epidural needle or through a small incision into the space surrounding the spinal cord, called the epidural space.
Electrodes at the end of the lead produce electrical pulses that stimulate the nerves, blocking pain signals. The patient gives feedback to help the physician determine where to place the stimulators to best block the patient’s pain. The leads are connected to an external trial stimulator, which will be used for approximately one week to determine if SCS will help the patient.
If the patient and the physician determine that the amount of pain relief is acceptable, the system may be permanently implanted. At the end of the trial implantation, the leads are removed.
The permanent implantation may be performed while the patient is under sedation or general anesthesia. First, one or more permanent leads are inserted through an epidural needle or a small incision into the predetermined location in the epidural space.
Next, a small incision is created, and the implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery is positioned beneath the skin. It is most often implanted in the buttocks or the abdomen. The leads are then connected to the IPG battery.
The implant’s electrical pulses are programmed with an external wireless programmer. The patient can use the programmer to turn the system on or off, adjust the stimulation power level, and switch between different programs.
After surgery, patients may experience a mild discomfort and swelling at the incision sites for several days.
Why settle for a single doctor when you can have a team of spine experts? Our unique approach to diagnosis and treatment ensures you get multiple point-of-views, especially in complex cases.