![]() The electrodes never touch the spinal cord directly and are placed in the epidural space (space between the vertebrae and the spinal cord lining). The placement of a spinal cord stimulation device involves light anesthesia and the creation of holes in the vertebral structures (laminotomy) to insert the electrodes. The time period of the trial stimulator also allows the patient to report any side effects of the stimulation that may warrant not going ahead with the procedure. The patient returns after a week or so to determine if he would get relief from a stimulator. The trial stimulator involves the placement of an electrode through the skin to the epidural space that is connected to an external generator. ![]() The procedure of implanting a spinal cord stimulator first involves the implantation of a trial stimulator under local anesthesia. Besides the chronic back pain caused by degenerative arthritis or trauma, patients with conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome and arachnoiditis may also benefit from SCS. The patients are typically screened for any underlying psychiatric illness and drug addiction. The procedure may also help patients suffering from a failed back syndrome who may not benefit from revision surgery. Patients with chronic pain in whom all other forms of conservative management have failed may benefit from spinal cord stimulation. With a reduction in pain, the majority of the patients report significant improvement in their quality of sleep and during their day to day activities. The reduction of pain may vary among different patients but the goal is to achieve a reduction of 50% or more in the intensity of pain. The patients with chronic pain report a significant reduction in the intensity of the pain experienced after implantation of a spinal cord stimulator. The batteries of non-rechargeable systems may need to be changed every 2-4 years depending upon the manufacturer. The battery of the SCS may be non-rechargeable or rechargeable. The physician usually selects the mode which is best suited according to the needs of the patient. The altered signal does not relay the signal responsible for triggering the pain center in the brain.īesides the basic electric impulse from the electrical generator, there are different modes depending upon the patient’s pain level and activity. The stimulator does not remove the source of pain but simply alters the pain signal traveling from the spine to the brain. ![]() The patient has the ability to start and change the level of electrical stimulation when he experiences pain. The electrodes carry a small amount of electric current from a current generator (small device) which is also implanted in the skin. The spinal cord stimulation consists of electrodes implanted under the skin that reach the space (epidural space) between the vertebrae and the covering of the spinal cord. Chronic pain is usually defined as the pain that continues to affect the patient even after the inciting event is not present. The inciting event may be an infection, a tumor, a traumatic injury, or a degenerative condition. ![]() The pain gradually gets better once the inciting event has subsided. Pain is the body’s natural defense mechanism to help prevent further injury and usually lasts only till the inciting factor is present. ![]()
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