What is a spinal cord stimulator?
A spinal cord stimulator is a device your specialist places surgically underneath the skin in your lower back. It sends low-level electrical impulses to your spinal cord to relieve ongoing or severe pain.
Spinal cord stimulators are made up of wires and a small, pacemaker-like generator. After the stimulator is implanted, you can send electrical impulses using a remote control each time you feel pain and desire relief.
What is a spinal cord stimulator used for?
Your Regenerative Orthopaedics and Spine Institute specialist might suggest you try a spinal cord stimulator if nonsurgical pain treatments haven’t worked. This device can relieve:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Pain after surgery
- Nerve pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Heart pain
- Spinal cord injury pain
- Peripheral vascular disease symptoms
- Pain after amputation
Spinal cord stimulation can significantly improve your sleep and quality of life, reducing the need to take pain medication. Your specialist might recommend this procedure along with physical therapy and other nonsurgical, pain-relieving methods.
Is a spinal cord stimulator right for me?
To determine if spinal cord stimulator implantation is right for you, your provider reviews your symptoms, discusses your medical history, and completes a physical exam. They often recommend blood tests and X-rays, MRIs, or another imaging procedure.
What happens during spinal cord stimulator implantation?
After you receive an anesthetic to avoid discomfort, your surgeon implants a temporary device into your lower back to test it out. For about a week, you can evaluate how well the stimulator reduces your pain. If successful, you can schedule surgery to have a permanent stimulator implanted.
During this second procedure, your specialist uses a local anesthetic to numb the area and places a generator and electrodes near your spinal cord over 1-2 hours. After the generator and electrodes are connected and work properly, your specialist closes the incisions.
What should I expect after spinal cord stimulator implantation?
You can usually go home the same day as your surgery. You should have a friend or family member drive you. Avoid stretching, reaching, or twisting near the incision site. Maintain lighter activity levels for about two weeks. You can often return to work and drive 1-2 weeks after your procedure.
Don’t live with ongoing pain when you don’t have to. Call the Regenerative Orthopaedics and Spine Institute office nearest you today or schedule an appointment online to find out if a spinal cord stimulator is right for you.
