If you are suffering from chronic back, leg or arm pain and have not found relief with non surgical pain treatments.
Spinal Cord Stimulation is done by surgical insertion of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) under your skin that gives a mild electric current to your spinal cord. Thin wires convey current from a pulse generator to the nerve fibers of the spinal cord.
When the SCS or the spinal Cord Stimulator is on, it stimulates the nerves in the pain area. The Stimulation reduces the pain because the electrical pulses modify and mask the pain signal from reaching your brain.
Use of Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Back pain, especially back pain that continues even after surgery (failed back surgery syndrome, post laminectomy pain syndrome)
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Arachnoiditis (painful inflammation of the arachnoid, a thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord)
- Injuries to the spinal cord
- Neuropathy (ex: diabetic neuropathy and cancer-related neuropathy from radiation, chemotherapy etc
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Pain after an limb amputation (Phantom pain)
- Visceral abdominal pain and perineal pain
What we offer
Spinal Cord stimulators are of two types,
- Conventional implantable pulse generator (IPG) - It is a battery-operated spinal cord stimulator. In this procedure a battery is placed under the skin that lasts for 2-3 to years and then requires to be replaced when it is discharged. Patients with pain in just one part of their body can go for this procedure because it has a lower electrical output.
- Rechargeable Implantable pulse generator - It is similar to that of a conventional device but in this device the battery can be recharged without another surgery. Because the energy source is rechargeable, these stimulators can put out more electricity and thus can be a better choice for people with pain in the lower back or in one or both legs, as the electrical signal can reach further.
After deciding on the type of Stimulator, specialists then decides on the two procedures of the surgery viz., the trial and the implantation.
In the trial period, a pain management Physician will implant temporary electrodes under the x-ray guidance where they will be carefully inserted in the epidural space of the spine. The electrodes will be placed along the spine and will affect the pain location. The trial procedure helps you to understand and experience the action of electrodes and its effect on the pain. The Physician will ask for the patient’s comfort and the best position of the electrodes.
The trial is a week-long procedure where the patient will evaluate the efficiency of the device and how much pain it reduces. The trial is considered a success if the patient experiences a 50% or greater reduction in pain level.
If unsuccessful, the electrodes can easily be removed in the clinic without damage to the spinal cord or nerves. If successful, surgery is scheduled to permanently implant the device.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation
During the permanent implantation procedure, the generator is placed underneath the skin and the trial electrodes are replaced with sterile electrodes. Unlike the trial electrodes, these will be anchored by sutures to minimize movement. The implantation can take about 1 hour and is typically performed as an outpatient procedure.
After the local anesthesia has been administered, the physician will make one incision (typically along your lower abdomen or buttocks) to hold the generator and another incision (along your spine) to insert the permanent electrodes.
Once the electrodes and generator are connected and running, the incisions are then closed.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Recovery
After the surgery, the patient gets discharged the same day once the anesthesia has worn off.
The incisions can be painful for several days but in most cases it heals within 2-4 weeks after the surgery.
