Spinal Cord Stimulator Specialist

For certain types of pain that is non-responsive to conservative therapies one consideration could be spinal cord stimulation. This is where a very small electrical impulse is delivered that changes the way your brain processes the pain. There are multiple types of spinal cord stimulators that can deliver a variety of programs. Some of these can be felt as a low tingling sensation, called a paresthesia; some can be programmed to where the patient never feels any sensation except freedom from pain.

Prior to implantation of this device there is a trial process, where you get to take this therapy on a test drive. Electrodes implanted onto leads, which are thin insulated wires, are what deliver the electrical impulse.  The leads are placed into the epidural space in the same way as an epidural steroid injection is performed. Once these electrodes are in the correct position they are connected to an external programmer which controls the device during the trial process. The patient then goes about their every-day life with this therapy in place to determine how much pain relief this offers them. Usually after a 5-10 day trial these leads are then removed. For permanent implantation the process is repeated but this time the leads are connected to a small neurostimulator, a device similar to a pacemaker, and this is implanted under the surface of the skin.

The physicians at Trinity Pain Medicine are well versed with all of the various spinal cord stimulators and will work with you to determine if this is the best therapy to control your pain.