Spinal Cord Stimulator
Spinal Cord Stimulator : Disadvantages and Risks : Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure used to mask or change pain signals before they get to your brain with an aim to relieve chronic pain.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
The nerves carry pain signals from any part of your body to your brain. When you get injured or have a condition that causes pain, the nerves carry the pain signal from the affected part of your body to the brain. You start to feel pain when the pain signal gets to your brain.
Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure that involves implanting a small device known as a stimulator inside your spinal cord. The stimulator uses a low-frequency current and delivers electrical impulses to replace the pain signals. Instead of feeling excruciating pain, the low-frequency current provides a mild tingling soothing feeling. The low-frequency current interferes with the pain signals to change the way the brain perceives the signals.
Spinal cord stimulation changes the pain signals and makes the brain interpret the pain signal as a soothing feeling. It doesn’t eliminate the source of the pain.
Patients with chronic back pain, leg or arm pain who hasn’t found relief or improvements from other conservative treatments can benefit from spinal cord stimulation.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems
Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems
The way spinal cord stimulator works is actually pretty simple. The stimulator and thin wires called leads are surgically implanted under your skin. The stimulator is also known as pulse generator because it delivers tiny pulses of mild electric current. The tiny pulses of mild electric current pass through the leads to specific nerves around the spinal cord. These tiny impulses of mild electric current mask pain signals traveling to the brain.
With the use of a remote control, you can turn the stimulator on and off, increase and decrease the level of stimulation. The stimulation changes the way the brain perceives pain signals. Instead of feeling pain, it produces a gentle tingling or fluttering sensation to replace the pain.
The amount of pain relief you feel differs from person to person. However, the therapy is considered to be successful if it reduces your pain by at least 50%.
Spinal Cord Stimulation in Pain Management
Spinal cord stimulation is used in pain management to help people with chronic pain manage their pain. If you have chronic pain that is not responding to other conservative treatments or you have been taking pills or opioids for a very long time, your doctor may recommend spinal cord stimulation to reduce or stop your intake of pills.
Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Benign Pain
Chronic benign pain is a type of unpleasant pain that arises from inflammation, visceral stress or damage. Pain that has lasted for 3-6 months or longer is known as chronic pain.
Spinal cord stimulation can be used for the treatment of chronic benign pain. Patients with this type of pain can find significant relief without needing to continue taking pills or opioids.
FAQS
What is the success rate of a spinal cord stimulator?
The success of spinal cord stimulation depends on how well a patient responds to the trial stimulation. Trial stimulation is first conducted to know if a patient is a good candidate for the procedure.
Studies have shown good to excellent long-term pain relief in 50% to 80% of patients with chronic pain. Many patients have experienced significant improvements after having spinal cord stimulators and they were able to return to normal activities.
What does a spinal cord stimulator feel like?
A spinal cord stimulator feels like a mild tingling feeling.
Who is a good candidate for a spinal cord stimulator?
Spinal cord stimulation helps people with chronic back and leg pain. If you have chronic back and leg pain that has lasted for 3-6 months or longer, you may be considered a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation.
Are you put to sleep for spinal cord stimulator surgery?
Yes. You will be sedated to put you asleep. The procedure is done under general anesthesia.
