Spinal Cord Stimulation

Once you decide to move forward and have the stimulator placed there are a few steps you must first follow. The initial part of the process requires you to schedule a psychological evaluation. This psychological evaluation is done prior to determine the emotional benefits of an SCS placement. Some patients may not emotionally respond well to a foreign device being surgically implanted in their body. For those individuals, a surgically placed device may actually heighten anxiety and worry.  

Elevated stress levels may negatively impact the effectiveness of the SCS and you may continue to feel pain in the exact same manner.  

The SCS requires surgery for placement and use. It is important for all parties involved to ensure the patient is able to receive the best outcome possible.  

If the patient is not emotionally capable of handling the placement of the device, they may have greater physical and emotional ramifications to a failed surgery. 

The psychological evaluation will be completed by a mental health professional, who will review basic information, medical history, and your struggle with chronic pain. Once the mental health professional has completed their evaluation, and determined you are a good fit, you may move forward in the next steps.  

Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial

Once an individual has successfully completed their psychological evaluation, they proceed to a trial experience of the spinal cord stimulator.  

Patients are able to experience the benefits of an SCS without undergoing a full surgery. This allows a patient to determine if they will have a successful experience with the SCS in managing their chronic back pain.  

The surgeon will place the temporary SCS using fluoroscopy. The trial SCS is performed as an outpatient procedure, and can be done in a doctor’s office or in an out-patient facility. Based on the location of your pain, the leads will be carefully placed in specific portions of your epidural space 

The device itself will not be surgically placed in the body, but will have the electrical threads placed. The leads will be placed in the epidural space of your spine based on the location of your pain. The trial will last roughly 3-5 days, giving you the opportunity to determine if the pain symptoms are subsiding. If you experience a 50% reduction in pain (or more) the SCS trial can be considered a success.  

SCS Placement

The spinal cord stimulator requires a minimally invasive surgery, but a surgery none-the-less.  

After a successful trial period, you can move forward to a permanent placement of the spinal cord stimulator. The surgeon will make a small incision for the device and place it for the patient’s comfort. The electrical leads are then placed in the epidural space of the spine. 

Recovery from this procedure will take a shorter amount of time than other standard spinal surgeries. Post-operatively, you may resume light actives after a few weeks, with a full recovery after eight weeks.  

Your surgeon and/or your pain specialist will monitor your recovery to ensure you have a successful outcome from SCS implantation.  

For many patients, the mild electrical impulses that alter and mask the pain signals are a significant reprieve from their previous pain experiences. Instead of pain radiating through your back, the sensation changes to something manageable.  

The pain-relieving stimulation can be flexibly programmed for the appropriate therapy to provide a gentle tingling sensation. A mild tingle wins over a pain that radiates. The spinal cord stimulator is clinically proven to provide superior relief when compared to other conventional pain treatments. The SCS effectively treats chronic back pain, allowing the patient to live a quality life.  

The SCS has become an ideal solution to incorporate into a chronic pain patient’s journey to relief. Having a spinal cord stimulator can prevent a cycle of pain-suffering-disability-pain in patients. Generally, patients do not want to rely on long-term opioid use. Incorporating a SCS allows a patient to take control of their pain management to fully pursue a fulfilling life. When you’re not held back from pain, life becomes something anyone wants to pursue.  

How To Get Started

If you would like more information about the spinal cord stimulator other pain management therapies we offer or our back specialists, please call Pain and Spine Specialists and speak to our dedicated team to improve the quality of your life. You can call Maryland Phones, Pennsylvania Phones, or Virginia Location and schedule an appointment today.