When each and every day is limited by chronic pain, finding relief is your main priority. Unfortunately, figuring out the right treatment for your needs isn’t always easy. Nonsurgical methods aren’t always enough to make a full recovery, effective medicines are riddled with side effects, and the prospect of surgery can be a tough pill to swallow. This is why many chronic pain sufferers are turning to spinal cord stimulation a treatment that involves the use of a small device called a spinal cord stimulator to improve quality of life and sleep through fast, effective pain relief.
This method is growing in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why. With fewer side effects than medicine-based alternatives, this treatment, which requires a single, minimally invasive surgery, is catching the attention of those suffering from chronic pain. Over the course of this article, we’ll break down how this treatment works and touch on the many benefits of spinal cord stimulators.
What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that transmits a low-level electrical current along the spine to help ease the pain. They are implanted beneath the skin, typically near the buttocks or abdomen. It is a relatively simple but highly effective device that is constructed from a discrete battery pack (the generator) and thin wires (the electrodes). In some ways, the functionality of a spinal cord stimulator resembles a pacemaker; however, unlike a pacemaker, spinal cord stimulators are controlled using a remote. That means on-demand pain relief whenever you need it most.
Why Is Spinal Cord Stimulator Different?
Do you suffer from chronic pain? If you’ve yet to find relief, you probably understand that finding the right treatment for your condition can be a serious challenge. Most people seek relief through nonsurgical options first. They may speak to a chiropractor or rely on medication to treat their pain. When this doesn’t work, surgery is oftentimes the next logical step. There are several different surgeries that can be used to treat chronic pain, but everyone’s experience varies, and not all surgeries achieve the desired result. Spinal cord stimulation also referred to as peripheral nerve field stimulation therapy, is different from other methods because it uses a minimally invasive surgical procedure to implant a device that gives patients the ability to relieve their pain at a whim, similar to how medications work. However, unlike medications, there are no significant side effects associated with the use of spinal cord stimulators.
What are the Advantages to Spinal Stimulator Surgery?
Once you’ve exhausted all of your non-surgical options, spinal stimulator surgery can help you gain relief from several types of chronic pain. Arguably the most compelling reason to undergo spinal stimulator surgery (the surgery required to install a spinal cord stimulator), is that it is entirely reversible. You can’t say that about many surgical options, especially those dealing with the spine. Individuals can discontinue spinal cord stimulation therapy at any time. The electrical contacts, wires, and generators that make up the spinal cord stimulator can be removed without altering or damaging the spine. The benefits of spinal cord stimulators don’t stop there, other advantages include:
- Controllable Pain Relief: Chronic pain is a unique condition because it affects every person differently. Two people in the same car accident will experience different levels of pain in different regions of the body. As a result, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming chronic pain. This is accounted for with a spinal cord stimulator, as you will have access to adjustable pain relief options via the hand-held controller used to release electrical currents. These controls are becoming more comprehensive as newer models make it to market. For those dealing with chronic pain, being able to fine-tune your treatment at any time provides a great sense of relief.
- Minimally Invasive: Spinal stimulator surgery is a relatively simple procedure requiring only a single incision. Furthermore, as smaller devices are developed, the size of this incision will only continue to shrink. The electrodes are placed with a hollow needle — no additional incision required.
- Safer than Opioids: It’s hard to turn the news on these days without hearing a report about the “Opioid Overdose Crisis.” Too many medical professionals rely on these addictive medications to treat their patients when other, comparably safer options are available. When utilizing a spinal cord stimulator to relieve pain, patients can reduce their reliance on medication. Medical literature reveals that as many as one-third of patients taking opioids were able to reduce or eliminate their dependence with spinal cord stimulation.
- Focused Pain Relief: Another drawback of treating pain with opioids is the lack of targeted pain relief. Opioids affect more than just your pain. They take a toll on your overall energy level and cause a host of side effects, like constipation, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory depression. Spinal cord stimulators only affect the area in need of relief.
- Minimal Side Effects: Spinal cord stimulators effectively manage your chronic pain without any notable side effects.
- Cost-Effective: On average, spinal cord stimulation is a cost-effective treatment. You can start managing your pain once you have recovered from surgery, and there’s no need for refills or excessive medical visits — two things that can quickly drive up the cost of treatment.
What Type of Pain Does Spinal Stimulator Surgery Treat?
Every individual suffering from chronic pain has a different story. The source of your pain and the affected area will be unique to your situation, so it’s important to only seek treatment options that have been proven to provide pain relief aligning with your needs. Spinal cord stimulation has helped many individuals treat or manage a variety of different types of chronic pain, including back pain, post-surgical pain, arachnoiditis, heart pain, nerve-related pain, peripheral vascular disease, complex regional pain syndrome, pain after an amputation, visceral abdominal pain, and perineal pain. So, how does a spinal cord stimulator treat chronic pain? Simply put, it swaps out the sensation of pain with one known as paresthesia. It’s basically a light-tingling sensation. Newer devices can also use “sub-perception” stimulation to minimize pain without any additional tingling sensation. On average, spinal cord stimulation can reduce pain by 50% to 70%. This treatment can also be safely combined with medication if necessary.
Are there Disadvantages to this Surgery?
As a minimally invasive surgical option, spinal cord stimulation has very few disadvantages. Complications are rare, but some patients may experience infection during the first two months, bleeding, device migration or damage, dural puncture, and spinal cord trauma. Device migration describes a situation in which the electrodes shift position, rendering them incapable of effectively providing pain relief. This, along with damage to the spinal cord stimulator, can be fixed with follow-up surgery. Since the device is implanted in the epidural space located just outside of the dura mater, an improperly placed electrode can potentially puncture it, causing cerebrospinal fluid to leak out. Thus, a dural puncture can cause nagging headaches. Spinal cord trauma is a very rare complication that could potentially lead to nerve damage or paralysis. Otherwise, the main disadvantage of this surgery is the minor restrictions it places on certain actions, such as:
- You have to power off your spinal cord stimulator during X-rays and CT scans.
- MRIs may not be safe if you have a spinal cord stimulator. Some newer devices are compatible.
- Detection at airport security may be problematic unless your medical provider has given you an identification card.
- Driving with your device active is not advised as changes in stimulation could limit your ability to focus on the road.
Are You a Good Candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery?
When the time comes to determine if spinal cord stimulator surgery is right for you, it’s important to consider your current physical and mental condition as well as the medications you are actively taking and your pain history. The easiest way to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for spinal cord stimulator surgery by consulting your medical provider. Generally, candidates have been suffering from chronic pain for three months or more in the lower back, legs, or arms. Additionally, many candidates have already undergone spinal surgery, although this is not a prerequisite. Review the checklist below to determine if you are a likely candidate for spinal cord stimulation surgery:
- Do you experience chronic pain as a result of arthritis, spinal stenosis, nerve damage, failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, arachnoiditis, stump pain, angina, peripheral vascular disease, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury?
- Have attempts at conservative therapy failed?
- Have you been advised that you would not benefit from additional surgeries?
- Is your pain the result of a fixable problem?
- Are you trying to avoid an extended hospitalization?
- Do you not suffer from depression or drug addiction? (If you do, this should be treated prior to spinal cord stimulation)
- Are you free of any medical conditions that would prevent you from safely undergoing implantation?
- Have you already undergone a spinal cord stimulation trial with positive results?