What does a spinal cord stimulator do?
The spinal cord stimulator involves placing small leads in the epidural space around your spinal cord. These leads are attached to a small generator that gets implanted either in your abdomen or your buttock. Once your spinal cord stimulator is in place, it delivers low-voltage electrical currents to your spinal cord on a continuous basis.
This mild stream of electricity blocks pain signals associated with numerous conditions. Spinal cord stimulation is so effective for relieving pain, you may even be able to stop taking pain or anti-inflammatory medications altogether.
Am I a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator?
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is an innovative solution for resolving chronic debilitating pain. Your doctor might recommend having a spinal cord stimulator implanted if you have lingering pain that causes difficulty working or decreased motor skills because of:
- Arachnoiditis
- Failed back surgery
- Post-laminectomy syndrome
- Phantom limb syndrome
- Severe nerve damage or neuropathy
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD)
Roughly 50,000 neurostimulators are implanted in patients worldwide each year, so the treatment provides promising results. Plus, the spinal cord stimulator is an FDA-approved pain therapy, so you can feel confident that your treatment is going to be safe and effective.
How is a spinal cord stimulator implanted?
If you and your physician at Regency Pain & Therapy Institute decide that a spinal cord stimulator is right for you, they schedule you for a surgery date. Implanting the spinal cord stimulator is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on your specific condition.
Your practitioner carefully places leads along your spinal column. They attach all of the leads to the generator, which serves as the brain behind the entire system. After making a small incision in your abdomen or buttocks, your physician implants the SCS generator device and closes the incision.
Depending on your specific spinal cord stimulator procedure and whether it’s temporary or permanent, you might be able to go home the same day. But your practitioner could recommend an overnight hospital stay.
In either case, your dedicated practitioner from Regency Pain & Therapy Institute spends time counseling you on postsurgical care and how to regulate your spinal cord stimulator. You should start experiencing pain relief within a few days.
Find out if a spinal cord stimulator is right for you by booking an evaluation at Regency Pain & Therapy Institute today. Call your nearest office directly.
