Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is an advanced treatment for certain types of chronic pain that have not improved with conventional therapies. The procedure uses a small implanted device to deliver mild electrical impulses to targeted areas of the spinal cord, helping interrupt or modify pain signals before they reach the brain. SCS may be considered for conditions such as persistent back pain, nerve pain, failed back surgery syndrome, and certain complex pain conditions. A healthcare provider evaluates each patient’s symptoms and medical history to determine whether spinal cord stimulation may be an appropriate treatment option.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Q & A

What is spinal cord stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a treatment for long-lasting (chronic) pain that has not improved enough with medications, physical therapy, or other treatments. It uses a small implanted device to send gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses change the way pain signals travel to your brain, which can lower the amount of pain you feel.

SCS does not cure the condition causing your pain. Instead, it helps manage the pain so you can move more easily, sleep better, and do more of your daily activities. For some people, it can also reduce the need for pain medications.

How does it work?

Your spinal cord carries signals between your body and your brain, including pain signals. In SCS, thin soft wires (called leads) are placed in the space near your spinal cord. These wires are connected to a small battery-powered device (called a pulse generator) that sits under your skin, much like a heart pacemaker.

The device sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord. This interferes with the pain messages before they reach the brain, so your brain receives a weaker pain signal. Some older systems create a gentle tingling feeling (called paresthesia) in the area where you usually feel pain. Many newer systems can relieve pain without any tingling sensation at all.

What conditions can it help?

SCS is most often used for chronic pain that has lasted a long time and not responded to other treatments, such as:

Ongoing back and/or leg pain, including pain that continues after spine surgery
Nerve-related (neuropathic) pain
Complex regional pain syndrome
Painful nerve damage from diabetes

SCS tends to work best for nerve-related pain. Your doctor can tell you whether it may be a good option for your specific type of pain.

The two-step process: trial first, then implant

A helpful feature of SCS is that you can test it before committing to a permanent device.

Trial period. First, temporary wires are placed through the skin (no major surgery). You wear an external device for several days to a week and go about your normal activities to see how well it controls your pain. This is like a “test drive.”
Permanent implant. If the trial clearly helps your pain (often defined as at least a 50% reduction), a small procedure is done to implant the permanent wires and the pulse generator under your skin.

If the trial does not help enough, the temporary wires are simply removed and nothing permanent is placed.

Living with the device

You use a small handheld remote or app to turn the stimulation on or off and adjust the settings.
Depending on the device, the battery is either rechargeable through the skin or not require recharging.
The system can be turned off or removed later if needed, so the treatment is reversible.
Dr. Badiyan will explain any activity precautions and how the device may interact with certain medical tests or security scanners.