Living With a Spinal Cord Stimulator

Twin Cities Pain Clinic is a leading authority in chronic pain management care, and we are proud to offer a robust selection of interventional treatments for managing pain without medications.

In particular, we are a center for excellence in spinal cord stimulation (SCS). We perform hundreds of stimulator implant procedures each year in our outpatient surgery centers and understand the ins and outs of stimulation therapy better than most.

But while we do this every day, we recognize that our patients do not. It’s natural for patients to have questions about stimulation treatment, such as lifestyle limitations, recovery timelines, and what they can expect after the procedure. Here we provide expert answers to some of the most common questions we have received over the years.

Will an existing medical condition interfere with my spinal cord stimulation procedure?

In most cases, no, a pre-existing medical condition will have no impact on your ability to have a spinal cord stimulation procedure nor on the effectiveness of the treatment.

However, SCS surgery requires anesthesia and there are some medical conditions that may increase the risk of complications with anesthetic medication. Your health history and medical records will inform your physician if any considerations or precautions need to be taken.

Additionally, stimulator implant surgery can’t be performed if a patient is actively taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners). Our team will provide instructions on temporarily stopping blood thinners prior to the procedure. If your primary care physician determines that temporarily stopping blood thinners would be unsafe for you, alternate therapies may need to be considered.

Can I get a spinal cord stimulator if I have a pacemaker?

Yes, you can have a spinal cord stimulator and a pacemaker at the same time. This topic has been investigated in numerous research studies and the overall conclusion is that, as long as proper precautions are taken during the surgery, there is no statistically significant interference observed between SCS and pacemaker devices in patients¹.

Can I get a spinal cord stimulator if I have an insulin pump?

Yes, you can have a spinal cord stimulator and an insulin pump at the same time, as there is no direct interference between the two devices. The same goes for wearable glucose monitors.

Can I get a spinal cord stimulator if I have a urinary catheter?

Yes, you can have a spinal cord stimulator and a urinary catheter at the same time, as there is no direct interference between the two devices. However, bear in mind that urinary catheters can increase the risk of bladder infections. Surgery cannot be performed if you have an infection or are taking antibiotics, so either of these could delay your procedure.

Can I get an MRI if I have a spinal cord stimulator?

In most cases, yes, you can get an MRI scan with a spinal cord stimulator implant, as newer models have been specially designed to be MRI-compatible.

However, older stimulator devices may not be MRI-compatible and even some newer models may require certain precautions before getting an MRI scan.

Your pain management provider will discuss specifics regarding MRI-compatibility prior to the procedure. Imaging specialists will identify whether an implanted SCS device could cause problems before an MRI scan.

Can I get a CT scan if I have a spinal cord stimulator?

Yes, you can get a CT scan if you have a spinal cord stimulator implant. CT scan imaging does not interfere with stimulator systems. Nonetheless, it is recommended that you notify the doctor and imaging technician of your stimulator before getting scanned.

Can I get an x-ray if I have a spinal cord stimulator?

Yes, you can get an x-ray scan if you have a spinal cord stimulator implant. X-ray imaging does not interfere with stimulator systems. Nonetheless, it is recommended that you notify the doctor and imaging technician of your stimulator before getting scanned.

Will a spinal cord stimulator set off security scanners?

A spinal cord stimulator implant may register on body scans or metal detectors due to metal components in the device. However, body scanners and metal detectors pose no risks to your health and safety if you have a stimulator implant, nor do they interfere with the operation of the device itself.

At the time of your implant procedure, you will be given a device ID card that confirms you have an implanted medical device. Have your ID card ready to show staff at security checkpoints and you shouldn’t experience any delays.

Can I go swimming with a spinal cord stimulator?

Yes, you can go swimming with a spinal cord stimulator implant once your incision is entirely healed. This usually takes up to four weeks. It is recommended that you also get the all-clear from your doctor, just to be thorough.

A couple of notes:

• You cannot go swimming during the trial period. During the trial, the battery is worn outside of the body and submerging it in water will damage it.
• You should avoid scuba diving with a stimulator, as the significant changes in pressure may damage the implant.

Is spinal cord stimulator surgery safe?

Yes, it is safe. Though all surgical procedures carry some risk, complications with spinal cord stimulation procedures are extremely rare. SCS surgery is minimally invasive and carries far less risk than more invasive surgeries or taking opioid medications.

How long does it take to start feeling pain relief after a spinal cord stimulator implant procedure?

Most patients begin to feel significant relief immediately after the device is turned on, with peak relief usually acheived within 24 hours.

How long does it take to recover from spinal cord stimulation surgery?

On average, a full recovery takes between six to eight weeks. During this time, you will have some basic limitations on your physical activity, but most patients are able to perform many day-to-day tasks within a few days. This is significantly shorter than invasive surgeries, which may take up to a year for full recovery.

Additionally, most patients who receive a spinal cord stimulator enjoy normal to near-normal mobility and function for most of the recovery period.

Is spinal cord stimulation covered by insurance?

Yes, spinal cord stimulation is an FDA-approved treatment for chronic pain, so most insurance plans cover it.

NOTE: Individual plans vary, so it is important to make sure that your specific insurance plan covers stimulation therapy. Your pain management clinic should assist you in confirming your eligibility.

Is there an age limit for a spinal cord stimulation implant?

No, there are no age limitations for spinal cord stimulation therapy. Twin Cities Pain Clinic often performs stimulator implant procedures on patients well into their 80s and 90s, with excellent results.

Certain age-related complications may prevent certain patients from undergoing surgery. This would be determined by your provider before scheduling any procedures.

Spinal cord stimulation therapy is generally not prescribed for minors, though exceptions may be made in certain situations.

Is it hard to live with a spinal cord stimulator?

No, living with a spinal cord stimulator is delightfully easy. That is one of its many benefits.

The first few weeks will be the most challenging, as you will need to limit your movement while your incision heals.

You will also have to learn to use the device. Luckily, most devices come with a handheld controller or smartphone-enabled app that allows you to adjust the settings yourself. Your clinical team and a representative from the device manufacturer will show you how to control your stimulation settings. They will also help you identify the settings that provide you with the most relief. After that, you just sit back and let the stimulator do its thing, day and night!

If you have a rechargeable SCS battery, you will have to keep your battery charged. But modern stimulators include wireless charging that can recharge your battery through the skin. So, you can conveniently keep your battery charged while reading, watching TV, or doing any other low-key activity.

In closing

Spinal cord stimulation is a marvel of medical science and engineering. For many patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain, it can offer life-changing relief without invasive surgery or opioid medications. And as long as you know a few basics, living with the device is an easy, carefree experience.