Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a medical therapy for people who suffer from certain types of chronic pain.  Common indications include the following:

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) of the upper and lower extremities
• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (upper and lower back)
• Diabetic and other peripheral neuropathy
• Occipital headaches
• Post Herpetic Neuralgia (pain after Shingles)
• Angina
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Phantom Limb Pain

• SCS involves the use of an implanted device—a spinal cord stimulator (sometimes called a generator or pacemaker for pain)—to deliver mild electrical pulses directly to nerve fibers. This direct approach to treating pain at its source can be very effective.

 
Spinal cord stimulation has three significant advantages:

• SCS can be very effective in reducing chronic pain from certain conditions
• You can have an SCS trial before you have a permanent system implanted, which allows you to see if the therapy works for you.  The trial is typically 3-7 days in an outpatient setting.
• The implanted device can be turned off permanently or removed if you do not achieve the desired level of pain relief
• Each type of SCS system has advantages and disadvantages. Should you consider getting a spinal cord stimulator, you and your physician will decide which system is best for your situation. This decision will be based on factors such as your pain pattern, your lifestyle, and how much electrical energy is required to provide adequate pain relief.