Spinal cord stimulation is an effective way to manage chronic back pain after nonsurgical pain treatment options fail to provide sufficient relief. This minimally invasive treatment helps reduce dependency on pain medication and is typically paired with other treatment modalities for the most effective results. Learn more about spinal stimulation for chronic back pain in Corinth at Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates (MSSP).
What is spinal stimulation?
Spinal stimulation uses an implanted device that allows the patient to send electrical impulses using a remote control whenever they feel pain. The electrical impulses relief back pain by targeting muscle groups and disrupting how the brain senses pain. Therefore, when the spinal stimulator operates, the tingling sensations replace pain.
A spinal stimulator uses thin wires referred to as electrodes and a pacemaker-like battery, which is the generator, to operate the device. The device is surgically implanted in the epidural space between the spinal cord and vertebrae. The generator is placed subdermal, which is under the skin, typically in the gluteus or abdomen area. The device comes equipped with an external remote and antenna that transmits a signal to operate.
Placement of Spinal Stimulator
A highly trained physician in interventional pain management surgically implants the spinal stimulator using either fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance. The surgery involves two procedures.
This surgical procedure requires making an incision in the back and the surgeon places a temporary device to determine the best placement of the electrodes. The trial period lasts about a week and is considered successful if you feel at least a 50% or greater reduction in pain. However, if you do not experience a significant improvement in your pain levels, the device is easily removed without damaging the spinal cord or nerves.
The procedure takes about 1-2 hours, and you may be placed under mild anesthesia so that you can communicate with your surgeon. Recovery from spinal stimulation surgery takes about 2-4 weeks, and most patients are clear to resume light activities approximately 2 weeks after surgery.
What does spinal stimulation feel like?
Depending on the device used for your treatment, it’s possible that you may feel either a slight tingling sensation similar to an external TENS unit or you may not feel anything at all, although the device is still working. However, spinal stimulation should not be painful. Instead, the goal is to provide significant relief from chronic back pain. Additionally, most patients go on to live active lifestyles, although be mindful that spinal stimulators are not compatible with MRI machines, but it is safe to receive x-rays or CT scans as long as the device is powered off. Your pain management doctor will provide you with a special identification card to carry with you when traveling through an airport as the device will set off the security machines.
Risks and Complications
Risks and complications with spinal stimulator surgery are rare, but any surgical procedure bears some level of risk.
A small percentage of patients may experience:
- Bleeding
- Infection, which may develop between 2-8 weeks post-op
- Device migration, which means the device moves from its original implantation site
- Damage to the device, which means it doesn’t work properly and requires another surgery
- Dural puncture of the dura mater surrounding the spinal cord, causing severe headaches but that can be surgically repaired
- Spinal cord trauma, although extremely rare, could lead to nerve damage or paralysis
Spinal Stimulator for Back Pain in Southwest Tennessee and North Mississippi, including Tupelo, MS and Jackson, TN
You no longer have to live with chronic back pain when all other treatment modalities provide zero relief. If you would like to learn more about spinal stimulation surgery or find out if this procedure is right for you, contact Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates by calling (662) 284-8565 and schedule your consultation today.