Spinal Cord Stimulation for Back Pain
Spinal cord stimulation can be used to treat a number of different conditions one of which is chronic back pain. Other conditions include:
- Conservative and surgical solution has failed
- More surgery will not be beneficial
- Chronic neck pain
- Chronic leg and/or arm pain
- Complex pain syndrome
- Arachnoiditis
- Angina
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
The goal of spinal cord stimulation for back pain is for you to be able to live a better standard of life and perform daily activities without being in chronic pain. Medication may still need to be taken but the aim is to greatly reduce it.
What is a spinal cord stimulator?
A spinal cord stimulator is a device that is surgically implanted under the skin in your spine near the vertebrae with wires leading to the epidural space. The device delivers mild electrical pulses to mask pain before it has time to reach the brain. The wires of the spinal cord stimulation are attached to the spinal nerves and when turned on, it stimulates these nerves and blocks the pain being transmitted the brain.
A spinal cord stimulation does not erase the pain from your body, it just masks it. Each person will have a completely different experience from this type of therapy because of the different levels of pain they are experiencing and also how the body reacts to such stimulation. The goal is for the stimulator to reduce pain up to 70% but that can be more or less for each person.
Not everyone is suitable for spinal cord stimulation but your consultant will discuss all options with you and help you work out the right solution for you. There will be a trial for spinal cord stimulation initially to see if it will actually reduce the pain but also to determine if the patient is still ok to go ahead after the trial.
How does the procedure work?
During surgery you will be under sedation and under X-ray guidance the surgeon will locate the area to insert electrode wires to the spine and lower near the buttock is where the generator will sit. A laminotomy is performed in the spinal cord to make space for the wires and then secured in to the epidural space.
A test stimulation will be performed during surgery which the patient has to be awake for. This is to determine if it is working and to help the surgeon change the settings or reposition if necessary. Once this has been established then the patient will again be sedated and the generator will be implanted in to the buttock. A lead wire will run from the generator and attached to the electrode wire. Once all is in place then sutures are used to close the skin and the patient will be taken to the ward to recover.
You will have to follow some guidelines as you recover and your surgeon will talk you through those. Mostly is it about looking after yourself and the wound sites, so no strenuous activities or bending and twisting. It is also recommended not to smoke or intake nicotine products as they prevent bone healing.
You will be sent home with instructions on how to use the stimulator but your consultant and nurse team will have explained everything to you fully and if you have any questions you can always ask. The consultant will provide follow up and check up consultations to see how you are getting on.
This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.
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