Chronic back pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It inhibits the ability to sleep, work and enjoy activities of daily living. When traditional methods of treating pain have been exhausted, such as physical therapy, medications, or injections, your physician may consider a Spinal Cord Stimulation. A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a revolutionary device designed to alleviate chronic pain by sending electrical impulses to the spinal cord, which helps to alleviate pain.
What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
An SCS is an implantable neuromodulation device that manages chronic pain by delivering mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord. These impulses interrupt pain signals before they are able to reach the brain. This allows the signals to be reduced or even eliminated, diminishing the perception of pain.
The device consists of two main parts:
- Electrode Leads: Thin, flexible wires or stimulators that deliver electrical impulses. These leads are placed in the epidural space between the spinal cord and the vertebrae.
- Pulse Generator: This small battery-powered device generates electric impulses, which are transmitted to the spinal cord through the electrode leads. The battery is approximately the size of a matchbook.
The Benefits
The goals of a Spinal Cord Stimulator are to reduce chronic pain, decrease the need for pain medications, enhance a person’s ability to participate in physical therapy and other activities and improve the quality of life. It is important to understand that a Spinal Cord Stimulator does not treat pain’s underlying cause but manages its symptoms.
What conditions does Spinal Cord Stimulation help?
SCS is commonly used to treat a variety of conditions including:
- Failed back surgery- Persistent pain following spinal surgery
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
The Procedure
Spinal Cord Stimulator placement is a two step procedure: trial and permanent implantation
- Step 1: Trial Period: Before committing to a permanent implant, patients undergo a trial period with a temporary SCS system. The leads are temporarily placed in the epidural space through a small needle close to the nerves responsible for producing pain. The external pulse generator or batter is worn on a belt or taped to your back. This allows the patient and physician to determine if SCS effectively manages the patient’s pain over the course of 7 days. The trial is typically done in an office setting under light sedation or local anesthesia. After the 7 day trial period, the trial leads are easily removed in the office without residual effect. The patient is then evaluated for the effectiveness of the treatment and can choose to move forward with permanent implantation should they experience significant pain relief.
- Permanent Implantation: If the trial period proves successful, the physician can proceed with permanent device implantation. Device implantation is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The permanent electrode leads are placed in the epidural space, and the pulse generator is implanted under the skin, usually in the lower back or buttock. The leads and generator are then connected, and the system is tested to ensure it’s working correctly.
Post-Operative Care
Following implantation of the SCS device, patients go home the same day as the procedure with minimal discomfort. There may be mild soreness for a few days after the procedure however this improves as the patient continues to heal. The device is programmable and can be adjusted to provide optimal relief.
Spinal cord stimulation offers hope to many individuals suffering from chronic pain that hasn’t responded well to other treatments. It is a minimally invasive, reversible procedure that can be removed if needed. Many factors are considered to determine if a Spinal Cord Stimulator is the correct answer to manage pain effectively. Discussing options with an experienced board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician is important to see if a Spinal Cord Stimulator is right for you.
For a comprehensive evaluation and to explore your treatment options, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment or seek a second opinion consultation with Dr. Anthony Giuffrida at Cantor Spine Center at the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Center by calling 561-446-0645. Dr. Giuffrida treats patients at our Fort Lauderdale Clinic. Take the first step towards a pain-free life by calling us today.