Spinal cord stimulation, otherwise known as SCS, uses electrical stimulation to provide pain relief of the back, neck, legs, and arms. It is believed that electrical impulses will inhibit pain sensations from being received by the brain. SCS candidates include patients who are suffering from chronic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed or potentially surgical treatment has not given substantial relief.
Before having a final SCS implant put in, the person has to undergo a trial implant initially. The physician will sterilize the back region and place an epidural needle. Once the needle reaches the spinal canal, the doctor pushes a catheter through it.
The patient is not completely anesthetized for this trial implant procedure. The reason is that the doctor needs to ask the patient at which point of placement the patient achieves adequate pain relief of the area suffering from chronic pain. Once the catheter is in the position for relieving pain best an external power supply and programmer is attached which supplies power and will allow the patient to wear it for 5 to 7 days.
Over the week that the trial is in position, the individual will keep a pain journal and write down how much pain relief comes from the trial. If the trial achieves sufficient pain relief (over fifty percent), the person may move on to a final implant. The trial implant is removed either way after about a week in the office.
The final stimulator is put in typically under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. A small low back incision is used with the doctor removing a bit of bone over the epidural canal. The final implant's paddle lead is put into place in the middle region for pain relief.
The new paddle leads contain over 10 diodes and there are plenty of programs available for pain relief. By doing this, the patient will have plenty of options in which to obtain relief from his or her chronic pain. A fluoroscopic machine is used in order to make sure that the SCS paddle is placed appropriately, which shows the metallic diodes in appropriate position.
Once appropriate paddle position is achieved, the battery is then positioned in the subcutaneous tissue at the top part of the buttock. It just needs to be placed in an area that is not part of where a person sits. The newest batteries are great as they allow for recharging outside the skin during sleep. The patient can shift between programs with a remote control for whichever brings about the best pain relief.
Before having a final SCS implant put in, the person has to undergo a trial implant initially. The physician will sterilize the back region and place an epidural needle. Once the needle reaches the spinal canal, the doctor pushes a catheter through it.
The patient is not completely anesthetized for this trial implant procedure. The reason is that the doctor needs to ask the patient at which point of placement the patient achieves adequate pain relief of the area suffering from chronic pain. Once the catheter is in the position for relieving pain best an external power supply and programmer is attached which supplies power and will allow the patient to wear it for 5 to 7 days.
Over the week that the trial is in position, the individual will keep a pain journal and write down how much pain relief comes from the trial. If the trial achieves sufficient pain relief (over fifty percent), the person may move on to a final implant. The trial implant is removed either way after about a week in the office.
The final stimulator is put in typically under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. A small low back incision is used with the doctor removing a bit of bone over the epidural canal. The final implant's paddle lead is put into place in the middle region for pain relief.
The new paddle leads contain over 10 diodes and there are plenty of programs available for pain relief. By doing this, the patient will have plenty of options in which to obtain relief from his or her chronic pain. A fluoroscopic machine is used in order to make sure that the SCS paddle is placed appropriately, which shows the metallic diodes in appropriate position.
Once appropriate paddle position is achieved, the battery is then positioned in the subcutaneous tissue at the top part of the buttock. It just needs to be placed in an area that is not part of where a person sits. The newest batteries are great as they allow for recharging outside the skin during sleep. The patient can shift between programs with a remote control for whichever brings about the best pain relief.
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