Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy

The following material is given as general information only and is not considered as medical advice or consultation.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy Overview

Minimally invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy has the potential to lower the risk to the patient, significantly reduce long term side effects of other treatment options, and substantially improve patients’ quality of life.

Candidates for SCS Therapy

As a general rule, an ideal candidate for a Spinal Cord Stimulator will be a patient that requires better pain relief that cannot be achieved through less invasive therapies, or prior treatments. Because of the many negative effects of medication, Spinal cord stimulation and other non-narcotic treatments for chronic pain are considered primary treatments for the best quality of life and avoidance of side effects. Additionally, patients must not have certain psychiatric concerns that may counteract some of the efficacy of the spinal cord stimulation therapy. 

Who benefits from the pain management improvement of SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulation)

The following conditions can be treated effectively with Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Chronic back pain
• Post surgical pain
• Spinal cord injuries
• Pain as a result of amputation
• Some heart related diagnoses, including angina, among others
• Nerve specific pain
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Other pain in various regions of the body
• Failed back surgery pain/Post Laminectomy Syndrome 

What You Should Expect with a Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy Implant?

The pain management aspects of spinal cord stimulation therapy generally includes the use of electric impulses and electrical waveforms being used to improve how the brain responds to pain, and how the nerves contained within the spine react to pain. This may mean that multiple treatment programming options may be used by the system to handle different aspects of your pain management. 

While most of the technology that is currently implanted into the body as part of SCS therapy, will be barely perceptible to the user, a slight recognition of this electrical impulse could be felt by the patient. The pain management specialist can adjust the program to compensate for these felt impulses. If you are experiencing any adverse effects it is important to consult your doctor immediately. 

Are there risks involved with this treatment?

Infection from the incisions is a potential concern, but can be managed as part of infection control patient care.

Dural puncture is possible. The internal space of the spine is a sensitive and confined area. Any time there are procedures involving the spinal cord, the risk of dural puncture or paralysis, or nerve damage, while extremely rare, is present. This procedure is a proven and simple procedure, but it is focused on the spinal cord area, and therefore there are some risks that will be present during the procedure, and because of the introduction of physical implementations in that space.  

Many years of use by a large patient population has shown that risks in using SCS are minimal and can generally be managed easily by scheduled appointments with your provider and self care. 

Working with Comprehensive Pain Management Specialists for Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapies

Comprehensive Pain Management Specialists has comprehensive pain management providers with extensive experience treating spine pain (and many other types of pain, including neuropathic pain) and using spinal cord stimulators as a treatment for various parts of the body. Our board certified pain management specialists have performed this procedure for hundreds of patients and are trained in the latest minimally invasive techniques.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapies and the medical devices that make up that treatment can be a durable, long-lasting and comfortable way to treat chronic pain of many different types. We are experts in SCS technology and in the implementation and use of these treatments as part of the  management of  your chronic pain.