Because I frequently write about chronic pain and the opioid epidemic, people often ask me about the spinal cord stimulator. Many doctors are taking patients off opioids and suggesting that the only other option is a surgery to implant a stimulator. Pain patients abandoned by doctors feel like this is their only option, but they’re terrified of doing something permanent that may or may not work. So here’s a basic overview of the spinal cord stimulator.
What is a spinal cord stimulator?
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is an implanted device that can send low levels of electricity into the spinal cord to relieve pain. Thin wires (electrodes) and a small device that looks like a pacemaker (generator) make up the stimulator. The generator is placed under the skin in the butt or abdomen while the electrodes are placed between the vertebrae and the spinal cord.
How does a stimulator work?
The SCS delivers pulses of electric current through the electrodes to specific nerves on the spinal cord. These impulses mask pain signals traveling to the brain. It works by interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain.
Furthermore, a remote control allows the patient to turn the stimulation on and off and target different pain areas in the body. It doesn’t make the pain go away, but it changes the way the body receives the pain.
Related posts: The shocking truth about life with untreated chronic pain
The stimulator is used for what kind of pain?
- Non surgical pain
- People with chronic debilitating pain for months (chronic pain)
- Failed back surgery
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Arachnoiditis
- Pain after amputation
What does getting a spinal stimulator involve?
Trial period
If a doctor thinks their patient fits the criteria for receiving a spinal cord stimulator they can complete a trial period. That trial involves inserting thin wires with electrodes attached, and the device staying external. The trial takes approximately 5-7 days.
The trial period is usually completed in a doctor’s office or surgery center with local anesthesia. Using a type of Xray the doctor inserts a hollow needle into the area around the spinal canal in the back. The needle contains the wires (electrodes) and those connect to the transmitter that the patient wears on a belt. A success in the trial period is 50% pain reduction.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Procedure
The SCS procedure is similar to the trial process. The transmitter is implanted in the body, and the trial electrodes replace the sterile ones. This whole process takes between 1-2 hours and is usually an outpatient procedure.
The surgery does take some time to heal from and can be very painful. It may take 6-8 weeks to recover, but in 2-3 weeks light activities can be resumed. Physical activity is limited for 3 months.
What are the possible side effects of a spinal cord stimulator?
Spinal cord stimulators don’t work for everyone, even if the trial produces results. Sometimes the pain relief is only minor, even after going through the surgery. According to the Medtronic website, other adverse side effects may include:
Is the spinal cord stimulator safe?
To begin, there are some significant concerns about spinal cord stimulator injuries and deaths. Most of us assume that the FDA approves devices such as this, but it turns out:
The FDA seldom requires rigorous evidence that a device works well and is safe before allowing it onto the market. Click To Tweet
Furthermore, the FDA released a letter to healthcare providers urging them to be more cautious after learning that:
Additionally, there are multiple lawsuits regarding spinal cord stimulators according to nationalinjuryhelp.com. Although, the FDA investigation found comorbidities in 1/3 of the death cases. The FDA decided there was a lack of “enough information to establish a causal relationship between the device and the reported event.”
Finally, in response Public Citizen called out the FDA’s “dangerously lax oversight of high-risk implantable medical devices” and accused the FDA of granting approval for the SCS based on the strength of other devices. Because of this the Public Citizen called for the FDA to move spinal cord stimulators to a higher class of risk.
Personal experience with a spinal cord stimulator
By Megan Neville
Is the spinal cord stimulator for you?
Only you and your doctor can answer that question. Like everything having to do with pain, it comes with both risks and benefits, depending on the person.
*As a reminder, please see my disclaimer for medical advice. Do not substitute the contents of this website for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment for any disease.
I didn’t know much about the spinal cord stimulator before I read this post, so thank you for letting me learn something new!
Such a useful and interesting post. This device sounds revolutionary and life enhancing!
I have had 2 surgeries in less than a year Cervical and lumbar I was fine until I fell due to a poorly installed shower seat. The impact has recently affected my QOL and the pain is like before my surgeries.
I am seriously considering a SCS this post is great info for me like Meagan Neville any relief is worth it.
I’m so glad it’s been helpful Sarah, though I’m sorry you’re experiencing pain.