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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.
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