Spinal Cord Stimulator Q & A
What is spinal cord stimulator?
Spinal cord stimulator is a treatment that blocks precisely targeted pain signals going through your spinal cord to your brain. The treatment works by delivering mild electrical pulses to specific nerves.
The electrical pulses essentially jumble or block the nerve signals so that your brain doesn’t get the message. As a result, your brain can’t perceive the pain.
The underlying problem causing your pain still exists. However, stopping the nerve transmission can provide significant pain relief.
How does spinal cord stimulator work?
Spinal cord stimulators have three parts: a controller, a pulse generator, and insulated lead wires. Dr. Pang implants the generator under your skin. Then he uses a specialized needle to guide the lead wires through the epidural space along your spine. After he positions the leads next to the targeted nerves, he connects the wires to the generator.
Next, Dr. Pang programs the controller, which you use to turn the generator on and off or to increase or decrease the level of stimulation you need based on your pain.
What conditions qualify for spinal cord stimulator?
Sensory nerves travel throughout your body. As they pick up pain signals, they relay that information back to the spinal cord and up to your brain.
Since spinal cord stimulator stops the signals in your spine, this treatment can help relieve pain that originates anywhere in your body, including pain that begins in your back and neck.
Dr. Pang may recommend spinal cord stimulator for conditions such as:
Herniated discs
Spinal stenosis
Post-laminectomy syndrome
Neuropathy
Sciatica
Degenerative disc disease
Complex regional pain syndrome
Chronic back pain
Chronic neck pain
Chronic leg pain
Though spinal cord stimulator works for many health conditions, each person responds differently to the treatment. Dr. Pang determines if it works for you with a spinal cord stimulator trial.
What is a spinal cord stimulator trial?
A spinal cord stimulator trial gives you the chance to use the device for about a week. During that time, you can determine if the electrical stimulation relieves your pain well enough to keep using the device.
When you have a trial, Dr. Pang inserts the lead wires, but you only wear the generator. If the trial is successful in relieving your pain, then Dr. Pang will discuss the permanent implantation of the device with you to help ease your pain.
If you have chronic pain that remains despite conservative medical care, call the Edward K. Pang Medical Corporation or book an appointment online today.