Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Treatment
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a minimally invasive pain management therapy that uses small electric impulses to block pain signals. It is an entirely drug-free treatment that can provide long-term relief from many chronic pain conditions.
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What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation uses electricity, not medication, to treat chronic pain.
A spinal cord stimulator consists of two parts, a battery and a pair of leads with electrodes on the tips. The leads are placed near specific nerves along the spinal cord. The leads are then connected to the battery, which is implanted into a small pocket in the lower flank or upper buttock area.
The battery emits mild electric pulses which are carried to the nerves by the leads. The leads apply the electricity to the nerves, “stimulating” them. Pain is reduced because the pulses mask pain signals before they reach the brain.
This innovative technique is capable of providing at least as much relief as opioid medications, without the negative side-effects, and has proven to be a very effective in treating a variety of chronic pain conditions, including back pain, post-surgery pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
Spinal cord stimulation is primarily prescribed for patients who have tried conservative therapies without adequate pain relief, would not benefit from additional surgery, or do not want to pursue surgery due to risks or long recovery.
The spinal cord stimulation procedure is broken up into two parts, a trial and the implant.
The trial
A benefit of spinal cord stimulation is that you can trial it first to determine if it’s right for you. During the trial, temporary leads are placed in your back. The battery pack is then worn externally like a belt or taped tightly to your back.
During the 3-7 day trial period, you may go about your daily routine. At the end of the trial, you will return to the clinic. The leads will be removed, and you and your provider will discuss whether or not to move forward with the implant.
The implant
If the trial is successful, you may proceed with the spinal cord stimulator implant. During the implant procedure, leads are placed at a specific location near your spinal cord. The ends of the leads are connected to the battery, which is implanted in the lower flank or upper buttock area. The battery will be turned on and programmed, at which point the spinal cord stimulation therapy begins. You will be given a small controller that can turn the device on and off and adjust the settings. The procedure is also reversible, meaning the stimulator may be removed if necessary.
What can I expect after the surgery?
You will be brought to the patient recovery area and monitored by a nurse for about an hour. For your safety, you will need a driver to take you home.
There are certain activities you should avoid for six to eight weeks after the surgery, including bending at the waist, twisting, reaching overhead, and lifting more than five pounds.
You will return to the clinic one week after the surgery, at which time a nurse will examine your incision site. You will also meet with a representative from the SCS device company who will turn on the device and program it.
After that, it’s time to start enjoying your life with less pain!
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Spinal cord stimulation patient testimonial
Twin Cities Pain Clinic patient, Carla Pfeiffer, shares her incredible journey to pain relief. After being diagnosed with diabetes, Carla began to experience debilitating neuropathic foot pain that made her life nearly unbearable. Though short on options, Carla was never short on hope, and she got the help she needed at Twin Cities Pain Clinic. Thanks to the skills of our experienced team of experts, Carla received a spinal cord stimulator implant. Now, she enjoys 24/7 pain relief and is living her best life.
Spinal cord stimulation at Twin Cities Pain Clinic
Twin Cities Pain Clinic is one of the leading authorities of spinal cord stimulation therapy in the Midwest. Our highly skilled pain management physicians perform hundreds of spinal cord stimulator implant procedures each year and stay up to speed on the latest advancements in spinal cord stimulation technology.
We are a spinal cord stimulation center for excellence and our expertise has allowed us the opportunity to help introduce several new SCS devices to the Minnesota market over the years.
Spinal cord stimulation could change your life! Schedule a consultation with Twin Cities Pain Clinic today.
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Spinal cord stimulation FAQs
Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about spinal cord stimulation therapy.
What kind of pain does spinal cord stimulation therapy help?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy can reduce pain caused by a wide range of intractable chronic pain conditions, most often those affecting the back and neck. Some conditions commonly treated by SCS include post-surgery pain, neuropathy (nerve pain), painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), pain caused by spinal cord injuries, phantom limb pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and more.
SCS technology is a rapidly advancing field, with new devices and programming settings allowing for an ever-growing list of treatment opportunities.
Spinal cord stimulation therapy is a good option for patients who have tried other, more conservative pain treatments without relief, and for those who would not benefit from additional surgeries.
What is the success rate of a spinal cord stimulator?
First of all, let’s define success in the field of spinal cord stimulation. A spinal cord stimulation case is considered a success if the patient experiences at least a 50% reduction in pain, which is usually more than enough to allow patients to return to happy, productive lives.
So, how often do SCS recipients achieve at least 50% pain relief? The short answer is the majority of the time. Numerous studies have been done on SCS therapy, and the results have shown that SCS patients report good or excellent pain relief in 50%-80% of cases (1-2). Exact results within that range vary based on the type and location of pain.
Should the SCS implant not achieve a successful result, the procedure is entirely reversible, meaning the device can be removed with no ill effects. An alternate therapy can then be considered.
How long does it take to recover from a spinal cord stimulator procedure?
Though it differs from person to person, the approximate recovery timeline for an SCS implant procedure is about six to eight weeks.
Some patients may experience moderate to significant pain near the incision site for a few days (sometimes up to two weeks) following the procedure. Pain medications and home remedies may be prescribed to help with this pain.
Patients will also be required to avoid certain movements and significant physical activity during the majority of the recovery period. This is to avoid aggravating the still healing incision site as well as to keep the implanted components from shifting before they completely settle into place.
Is spinal cord stimulation surgery painful?
A spinal cord stimulator implant procedure is not painful, as you will be sedated for the duration of the surgery. You will probably feel some pain and discomfort at the incision site for a few days (possibly up to two weeks) following the procedure, but this can be eased with simple home remedies and over the counter pain medications. The surgeon and/or surgical staff will discuss your post-op pain relief options before you are discharged.
What are the side effects and risks of a spinal cord stimulator?
As with any surgical procedure, spinal cord stimulation does come with its own set of risks. These uncommon side effects fall into two categories: device-related complications and physical or biological complications.
Device-related complications arise when the stimulator system itself malfunctions or the pieces become disconnected. These can include a faulty connection between the leads and the battery, unintentional movement of the leads from their original placement (called lead migration), or breakage of the leads. Such complications are infrequent and resulting physical harm is extremely rare.
Physical complications from SCS can range from mild to serious but are also very uncommon. Though SCS is an outpatient procedure, it still carries the same potential risks as any other surgery, including pain at the incision site, excessive bleeding, and infection.
Some more SCS-specific complications that have been documented include mild to moderate shocks from unintended changes in stimulation strength and discomfort around the implanted generator.
Luckily, SCS technology has made huge strides over the years and the associated risks are now less likely than ever to occur. Recent breakthroughs including smaller devices, precision programming, and MRI-compatibility have even further reduced the likelihood of both physical and device-related complications.
Can a spinal cord stimulator cause nerve damage?
In extremely rare instances, serious biological complications have occurred as a result of spinal cord stimulator implants. Among these complications, instances of nerve damage have been documented. However, it is important to remember that such severe complications have always been extraordinarily rare, and they are becoming even more uncommon as SCS technology improves.
Can a spinal cord stimulator be removed?
Yes, spinal cord stimulation therapy is an entirely reversible procedure. In the rare event the device malfunctions or does not provide the expected level of pain relief, the entire system can be removed via an outpatient procedure. Aside from the same potential risks of any surgery, removing a spinal cord stimulator does not result in any permanent problems or side effects.
1. Verrills P, Sinclair C, Barnard A. A review of spinal cord stimulation systems for chronic pain. J Pain Res. 2016;9:481-492
2. Deer TR, Skaribas IM, Haider N, et al. Effectiveness of cervical spinal cord stimulation for the management of chronic pain. Neuromodulation 17(3):265-71, 2014
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