Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment for pain that uses a mild electric current to block nerve impulses in the spine.
Alternative Names
Neurostimulator; SCS; Neuromodulation; Dorsal column stimulation; Chronic back pain - spinal stimulation; Complex regional pain - spinal stimulation; CRPS - spinal stimulation; Failed back surgery - spinal stimulation
Description
A trial electrode will be put in first to see if it helps your pain.
- Your skin will be numbed with a local anesthetic.
- Wires (leads) will be placed under your skin and stretched into the space on top of your spinal cord.
- These wires will be connected to a small current generator outside of your body that you carry like a cell phone.
- The procedure takes about 1 hour. You will be able to go home after the leads are placed.
If the treatment greatly reduces your pain, you will be offered a permanent generator. The generator will be implanted a few weeks later.
- You will be asleep and pain-free with general anesthesia.
- The generator will be inserted under the skin of your abdomen or buttocks through a small surgical cut.
- The procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours.
The generator runs on batteries. Some batteries are rechargeable. Others last 2 to 5 years. You will need another surgery to replace the battery.