Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial
A spinal cord stimulator generates a low level electric field to interrupt nerve conduction of pain signals to the brain.
Typically, after more conservative treatment options have failed you relieve your pain, we may recommend a trial of spinal cord stimulation. Instead of putting an expensive device permanently into our patients, a temporary spinal cord stimulator wire is placed in a patient for several days to a week. This temporary wire gives you an opportunity to experience spinal cord stimulation without having to undergo a full implantation. If this trial is successful in relieving pain, a permanent device can be placed under the skin.
Most of our patients can tell during the trial if the stimulator is providing significant benefit. We typically look for a significant increase in activity tolerance or a significant decrease in the need for pain medication or some combination of both. Placement of a trial stimulator only takes from thirty minutes to an hour. Placement of a permanent spinal cord stimulator takes from one to two hours.
