What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

Chronic pain can significantly impact your quality of life, making even simple daily activities challenging. If you have not found pain relief through traditional treatments, spinal cord stimulators are a minimally invasive interventional pain management procedure proven to effectively treat chronic pain. These devices are designed to alleviate pain by interfering with pain signals before they reach the brain. Learn more about the spinal cord stimulator implant and if it is the right treatment method for you.

Understanding Spinal Cord Stimulation

A spinal cord stimulator works on the principle of neuromodulation, which alters nerve activity through targeted delivery of electrical stimulation. The device emits low-level electrical impulses that block pain signals from reaching the brain and spinal cord, providing significant pain relief for many patients. This method differs from other treatments, such as physical therapy and pain medicine, as it directly targets the nervous system to reduce pain perception.

Components of a Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator consists of three main components: electrodes, a generator, and a remote control. The electrodes are placed near the spinal cord in the epidural space, where they emit electrical impulses. The generator powers the electrodes, typically implanted under the skin in the lower back or abdomen. A remote control allows the patient to adjust the intensity and pattern of the electrical stimulation, providing personalized pain management.

Conditions Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation or cervical spinal cord stimulation is used to treat various chronic pain conditions, including back pain, neck pain, leg pain, and arm pain. It treats nerve pain, peripheral vascular disease, and post-surgical pain. However, it is particularly effective for chronic back pain, such as persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS), especially when traditional treatments have failed. 

Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), where previous back surgeries did not relieve pain, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition affecting a limb, can also be managed with spinal cord stimulation.

Additionally, it is used for neuropathic pain and other chronic pain conditions that have not responded to other treatments. Whether you have experienced a spinal cord injury or some form of spinal cord trauma, you may be a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator implantation.

The Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation Process

Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial

The spinal cord stimulator trial is a crucial first step in determining whether this treatment will effectively manage a patient's chronic pain. During this trial procedure, the device is not permanently implanted in the body. Instead, thin wires, or leads, are inserted through a needle into the epidural space near the spinal cord. These leads are connected to an external transmitter that remains outside the body.

The external transmitter sends electrical pulses through the leads to the spinal cord, allowing the patient and the medical team to assess the stimulation's effectiveness in alleviating pain. This trial period typically lasts about a week, providing enough time to evaluate pain relief and make any necessary adjustments to the placement or programming of the leads.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation

If the trial period demonstrates significant pain relief and the patient responds positively to the stimulation, the next step is permanently implanting the spinal cord stimulator. The spinal cord stimulator surgery involves a minimally invasive procedure under local anesthetic to surgically place a small generator, or implantable pulse generator (IPG), discreetly under the skin in the lower back or abdomen.

The previously placed leads are then connected to the IPG. This generator allows the patient to have complete control over their pain relief, with the ability to adjust the intensity and pattern of the electrical pulses using a remote control. Post-surgery recovery typically involves a short hospital stay, followed by several weeks of careful monitoring to ensure proper healing and device function.

Benefits for Adults with Chronic Pain

Spinal cord stimulation offers numerous benefits, including significant pain relief, reduced reliance on pain medications, and improved quality of life. Many patients experience successful outcomes, with effective pain relief significantly improving their daily lives.

Life with a Spinal Cord Stimulator

Adjusting to life with a spinal cord stimulator involves a period of adaptation. Patients may initially feel the electrical impulses, which can take some getting used to. Over time, most patients find the sensation tolerable and even reassuring as it signifies pain relief. Long-term management includes regular check-ups to monitor the device and make necessary adjustments. Proper maintenance and adherence to follow-up appointments are crucial for the device's optimal function.

Insurance and Cost Considerations

Insurance coverage for the spinal cord stimulator procedure varies, with many policies covering at least part of the cost. It is important for patients to understand the coverage options available to them. Cost factors include the device itself, the surgery, and ongoing maintenance. Navigating insurance claims can be complex, but with proper documentation and support from healthcare providers, many patients successfully obtain coverage for their treatment.

How to Prepare for a Consultation

Preparing for a pain management specialist consultation involves gathering relevant medical records and considering questions to ask during the appointment. Discussing all available treatment options and understanding the potential benefits and risks of spinal cord stimulation is important. Thorough preparation can lead to a more productive and informative consultation, helping patients make well-informed decisions about their pain management.

Start Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy in Austin, Texas

Spinal cord stimulation devices offer long-term pain relief to those who have not found success with other treatments. Patients should consult a pain management specialist to determine if this treatment is suitable for them. For personalized advice and further consultation for adequate pain relief, contact a pain specialist at Greater Austin Pain Center. Start your spinal cord stimulator trial and implantation in Austin, Texas.