How to Protect Your Knees as a Runner
Ready to hit the pavement? Make sure your knees are prepared too. Discover simple ways to avoid injury and run pain-free.
What to Expect During Your Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial
If chronic neck or back pain is affecting your quality of life, and you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation (SCS), doctors often recommend a trial before placing a permanent implant. SCS is an innovative pain management technique where we implant a device that delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses interfere with pain signals which provides pain relief.
Here at aCELLerated Interventional Orthopedics, pain management specialist Dr. Brian K. Rich offers innovative pain management solutions, including spinal cord stimulation. Your SCS trial is considered a success if you experience a 50% or greater pain reduction.
Why a trial is essential
The goal of a spinal cord stimulator trial is to see if SCS therapy effectively reduces your pain. Think of it as a "test drive" to help you and Dr. Rich determine if this is a beneficial pain management approach for you.
Preparing for the trial
Before the trial, you’ll have a consultation with Dr. Rich where he reviews your medical history and conducts a physical examination to ensure you are a good candidate for the SCS trial. You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss your pain levels, previous treatments, and any concerns or questions you might have about the procedure.
Once you’re deemed a suitable candidate, you receive detailed instructions on how to prepare for the trial.
What happens during the trial
The SCS trial procedure is minimally invasive and typically performed on an outpatient basis. Here’s an overview of what happens during the trial:
Anesthesia and lead placement
You receive local anesthesia to numb the area where the leads are inserted. Dr. Rich uses live X-ray to guide the placement of thin, flexible, lead wires into the epidural space near your spinal cord. These leads are connected to an external pulse generator you wear on a belt or keep in a pocket.
Testing and adjustment
Once the leads are in place, the external pulse generator is programmed to deliver electrical pulses tailored to your specific pain pattern. You remain awake during this part of the procedure to provide feedback on the sensation and pain relief.
Trial period
The trial period usually lasts 5-7 days. During this time, you monitor your pain levels and activity tolerance while keeping track of any changes or improvements to track the effectiveness of the therapy. You also have follow-up appointments to adjust the device settings as needed.
You're encouraged to move around and do your usual activities, as this helps assess the stimulator's impact on your pain. The goal is to achieve significant pain relief and functional improvements.
After the trial
At the end of the trial period, you return to our office to discuss your experience and review your pain diary. If you experienced significant pain relief and there were no complications, you may be a good candidate for a permanent spinal cord stimulator implant.
Is SCS right for you?
The results of your spinal cord stimulator trial provides valuable information to guide your treatment plan. Deciding on a spinal cord stimulator trial is a personal choice. It's important to have an open and honest conversation with Dr. Rich about your pain history, expectations, and any concerns you may have.
Dr. Rich can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks and determine if a trial is a good next step on your journey to effective pain management.
Contact us at aCELLerated Interventional Orthopedics if you have questions or concerns about the SCS trial. For patients who are looking for solutions for their chronic pain, our team is here to discuss how we can help.
You Might Also Enjoy...
5 Common Causes of Chronic Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can become chronic, and when it does, even most basic activities are painful. Before persistent shoulder pain limits your daily functioning, have it checked out by an expert.
How to Manage Degenerative Disc Disease Without Major Surgery
Managing degenerative disc disease without major surgery is not only possible but also highly effective with the right approach. With minimally invasive treatment, you can get pain relief, improved mobility, and better quality of life.
Does Frozen Shoulder Go Away on Its Own?
An inflammatory process triggers the development of frozen shoulder, which immobilizes the joint. Can your frozen shoulder regain movement without treatment? Find out here.
Degenerative Joint Disease Is Common: 5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk
While degenerative joint disease does have some uncontrollable risk factors, there’s still plenty you can do to protect your joints as you age. Now is as good a time as any to prioritize your joint health.
How Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Alleviates Chronic Pain
Peripheral nerve stimulation is most appropriate for persistent pain that’s localized and has a specific nerve target. This breakthrough therapy can relieve discomfort quite a bit, allowing you to do more of what you like.