What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
This device commonly known as SCS uses neurostimulation to treat chronic pain by sending gentle electrical impulses to nerves in the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.
There are four manufacturers of spinal cord stimulators. For more information about each one, visit the company website:
What Does it Treat?
A nerve stimulator relieves chronic pain originating from the lower back.
How Does the Procedure Work?
First a temporary trial of the device will determine the effectiveness of the treatment and if changes need to be made.
A patient will lay on their stomach and receive local anesthesia to prevent them from feeling pain and discomfort. A small incision is made on the lower back and metal wires, also called leads, are fed through a catheter to the epidural space of the spine. The wires are connected to an external pulse generator. A physician and representative from the device company will keep track of the patient’s pain relief levels.
After a successful trial, the physician will permanently install the device. Two incisions will be made, one on the lower back for the wires, and one on the abdomen or buttocks for the pulse generator. The wires and generator will be connected.
Patients will stay in the recovery room to be monitored after the procedure, and another person will be required to drive them home. Initial discomfort and limited movement are normal, and will subside within 24 hours to a week. Any activities that put strain on the spine should be avoided for up to 6 weeks after the procedure.
What Are the Risks?
The minimally-invasive procedure is considered to be low risk; however, the device can malfunction and the battery will need to be replaced every 5-10 years. All surgeries have risks such as infection or blood loss.
Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulators
Nerve stimulators treat chronic pain at the source, and can remove the need for oral medications over time, plus patients have the ability to control how often electrical pulses are sent to the nerves.