Spinal Cord Stimulation Procedure
What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an advanced treatment used to help people with chronic pain, especially those who still hurt after back surgery. If other treatments like medications, physical therapy, or nerve blocks haven’t worked, SCS may offer a new path to comfort and better quality of life.
SCS is a small device—sort of like a heart pacemaker for pain—that gets placed under the skin near the spine. It sends gentle electrical signals to the nerves in the spinal cord. These signals “mask” or block many of the pain messages traveling to the brain, lowering the feeling of pain. For many patients, this means less pain, fewer medications, better sleep, and more ability to do daily activities.
Who Should Consider SCS Treatment?
- People with long-lasting back and/or leg pain that did not get better with surgery, medicines, or injections (“failed back surgery syndrome”).
- Anyone with pain caused by nerve damage (neuropathic pain)—from injuries, diabetes, or other conditions.
- Those who want to try a treatment before considering more surgery.
SCS can provide relief to people who have suffered for months or years, especially when pain gets in the way of life.
How Does the Procedure Work?
Step 1: The Trial
First, there’s a “trial” phase. Doctors place thin wires (leads) into the space near the spinal cord through a small incision and use a temporary device on the outside to deliver mild electrical pulses. You go home and test it for about a week, seeing how much it helps your pain as you go about normal life.
Step 2: The Permanent Implant
If the trial works (you get at least about 50% better pain relief), you come back for a minor surgery. The team implants a small generator under your skin—usually around the buttock or abdomen—and connects it to the wires already placed. The generator is programmed with a remote control so you can adjust the stimulation as needed. Most patients recover quickly and start noticing improvement within days.
What Does SCS Feel Like?
When turned on, SCS may create a gentle tingling, buzzing, or fluttering in the area where pain used to be (called “paresthesia”). Newer devices can deliver relief without any sensations at all, just pain relief. The goal is not zero pain, but about half the pain—or a lot more comfort than before.
Benefits of SCS
- Significant pain relief—most patients see at least a 50% drop in pain
- Less need for opioids or pain medications.
- Better sleep, ability to exercise, work, and enjoy life.
- Adjustable and reversible—settings can be changed, and the device can be removed if needed.
- Safe and proven—hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide use this FDA-approved approach.
What Are the Risks?
Like any procedure, SCS carries some risks. Complications are rare but could include infection, bleeding, or device problems. Most side effects are mild and can be managed with help from your care team.