5 Signs You’re a Candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is a safe, effective treatment for many types of chronic pain. Here’s how to tell if it might be a good treatment to help you find relief for your symptoms.
Spinal Cord Stimulation: What to Expect
Experiencing chronic pain can take a physical and mental toll on you. If you’ve already tried various non-surgical pain management techniques with little or no success, spinal cord stimulation might be the right solution. Board-certified pain management specialist Jonathan Gentile, MD, of Indiana Spine Group often recommends spinal cord stimulation when conservative pain management techniques don’t resolve your pain.
Discover more about how spinal cord stimulation can end your chronic pain, and what you can expect from this treatment.
Understanding spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is a pain management treatment that helps limit pain in your legs, back, and arms. The procedure works by using a spinal cord stimulator, a small device Dr. Gentile inserts under your spine.
The spinal cord stimulator reduces your pain by sending electrical pulses that keep your brain from receiving pain signals. Dr. Gentile uses the Medtronic, Abbott, and Boston Scientific advanced SCS systems for the most advanced spinal cord stimulator pain relief.
One of the best features of a spinal cord stimulator is that you control the level of electrical stimulation you receive with a handheld controller. This allows you to easily manage your pain relief.
Will spinal cord stimulation work for me?
You might be a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation if you’re tried multiple non-surgical methods of pain relief but haven’t found a good solution. Spinal cord stimulation is a particularly good option if your pain is neuropathic.
Before committing to spinal cord stimulation, Dr. Gentile gives you a trial implantation first. This ensures spinal cord stimulation effectively relieves your pain before you commit to the surgical procedure.
The spinal cord stimulation implantation process
Dr. Gentile performs the implantation in two stages. You undergo trial spinal cord implantation, then move to permanent implantation if the trial is successful.
Trial spinal cord stimulation
You get your trial spinal cord stimulator at Indiana Spine Group under local anesthetic. During your office visit, Dr. Gentile inserts wire cords into the area surrounding your spinal cord while asking you for feedback to ensure they get placed in the correct position in your back.
The wire leads connect to your trial electrical cord stimulator, which you use for up to a week. During that time, you determine if the stimulator effectively helps you manage your chronic pain.
Permanent spinal cord stimulation
If the trial cord stimulator works for your pain management needs, Dr. Gentile moves on to permanent implantation. This minimally invasive procedure takes place under general anesthesia or IV sedation.
First, Dr. Gentile replaces your temporary wire leads with permanent ones in the same location. Next, he places the implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery in a small incision in your buttocks or abdomen.
After placing your leads and IPG, Dr. Gentile uses an external wireless programmer to program the electrical pulses. You use this to operate and control the stimulator’s electrical pulses.
You might feel some swelling and soreness initially near your incisions, but you can expect to recover quickly from the placement procedure and experience chronic pain relief almost immediately.
If you’re a chronic pain sufferer, spinal cord stimulation might be the solution you need. If you’re interested in learning more, request an appointment at Indiana Spine Group’s Carmel, Indianapolis, or Kokomo, Indiana locations online or over the phone.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Managing Your Neuropathy Symptoms
Neuropathy affects millions of Americans, causing uncomfortable symptoms that can interfere with your activities or quality of life. However, those symptoms can be managed (and sometimes reversed) with treatment.
5 Mechanical Problems That Fuel Back Pain
If you have back pain, it’s easy to attribute it to a day of overexertion or even a bad mattress. But back pain can also be caused by underlying mechanical problems with your spine, including the five listed here.
What Does a Herniated Disc Feel Like?
Herniated discs aren’t uncommon; the good news is conservative treatment is almost always an option. Early treatment is essential, starting with learning how to recognize the symptoms. Here’s what to look for.
When is Neck Pain a Sign of a Serious Medical Condition?
Neck pain is a common medical complaint, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need treatment. Serious medical problems can cause neck pain. Here’s how to tell if your neck pain needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
What You Should Know About Your Upcoming Intracept Procedure
Lower back pain can have lots of causes. The Intracept® procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to target the root cause of most lower back pain, providing long-term relief. Here’s how it works.