![]() An epidural needle will then be guided to the epidural space. The physician will inject a local anesthetic to numb the skin. You will be asked to lie on your stomach then your back will be cleaned with an antiseptic, and a sterile drape will be placed. Spinal Cord Stimulator ImplantationĪ spinal cord implantation procedure is performed under live X-ray guidance to ensure the accuracy and safety of this procedure. If the spinal cord stimulator provides sufficient reduction of your pain and improves your quality of life, you may be a candidate for permanent implantation. If the trial does not provide adequate pain relief, the lead of electrodes can be removed easily without damage to the spinal cord or nerves. You will be able to test this system for one week. The tail is secured with tape and dressings to your back and connected to an external controller that can increase or decrease stimulation. The tip of the electrodes’ lead is placed in your epidural space. 1.Spinal Cord Stimulator Trialįirst, a trial is aimed to test out the device before permanent implantation. There are two phases of spinal cord stimulator implantation. How is spinal cord stimulation performed? It is worn externally and sends electrical pulses to the inserted wires and electrodes. During this trial, the transmitter is not implanted. If a doctor recommends spinal cord stimulation therapy, there may be a trial period. The patient has reflex sympathetic dystrophy which is a progressive disease of the nervous system causing a feeling of persistent burning pain.Arachnoiditis is present in which inflammation and scarring of layers of the spinal nerves are causing pain.Peripheral neuropathy exists which is persistent burning pain in the legs due to nerves dying in another area of the body.The patient developed failed back surgery syndrome in which neck or back surgeries did not alleviate low back, arm, or leg pain.Heart pain has proven to be untreatable via other means.The cause of chronic pain is not treatable.Other pain therapies have failed to reduce chronic back pain or chronic neck pain.Spinal cord stimulation is used in certain situations, including but not limited to the following. Who is a candidate for spinal cord stimulation? There is no tingling pain, meaning it is paresthesia-free. The spinal stimulator device that uses high-frequency current sends burst pulses. It replaces a sensation of pain with more bearable paresthesia, a mild tingling feeling. A spinal stimulator device may use a low-frequency current which is designed to change the feeling a patient experiences. It is simply designed to change the way the brain perceives pain. Spinal cord stimulator therapy does not eliminate or cure what is causing the pain. The electrical pulses modify pain signals and mask them from reaching the brain. It is used for people experiencing chronic pain in the back, arm, or leg. The spinal stimulator implantation is a therapy used to interfere with pain signals being sent from nerves to the brain. What is the purpose of spinal cord stimulation? A wearable antenna sends the signals wirelessly to the implanted system.Įvery system has a remote control that enables turning the stimulator or generator on and off and changing the setting for the electrical pulses. All of the items are implanted with a hollow needle. A micro-transmitter, electrodes, and leads are implanted into the spinal space. The newest technology being tested is wireless. The stimulator has a rechargeable battery. Instead of pain, you may feel a mild tingling sensation in the area where you usually feel pain. The electrode sends stimuli to your spinal cord that compete with the entry of pain signals. The epidural space contains fat tissue with blood vessels and nerve roots. This space sits between two planes of tissue: the sac of tissue that houses your spinal cord (dural sac) and the vertebral bones. The epidural space is a space that is located in your spine within the spinal canal. What is a spinal cord stimulator?Ī spinal cord stimulator is a small device with electrodes that are placed in epidural space under live x-ray guidance. Spinal cord stimulation therapy includes the implantation of a special device called a spinal cord stimulator. Spinal cord stimulation is an invasive procedure that is used for nerve pain due to post-laminectomy syndrome, radiculopathy, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), phantom limb pain, or neuropathy that is resistant to medications and minimally-invasive, injection-based treatments.
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