A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is an implanted device that uses electrical impulses to stop pain signals from reaching the brain. 

The spinal cord stimulator has three parts: the generator, electrodes, and remote.

Generator

The generator is a small battery-operated pacemaker. It generates the electrical signals that stop the pain signals.

Electrodes

The electrodes are leads that run from the generator to the area of your spine responsible for your pain. The electrodes carry mild electrical impulses to these nerves. 

Remote

The remote is a hand-held device that allows you to adjust the intensity and frequency of the electrical signals sent by the generator.

After a consultation, the pain management specialists at Southern Idaho Pain Institute determine if you’re a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator. The team primarily uses the pain-relieving device to treat chronic lower back pain and sciatica.

They only recommend placement of the spinal cord stimulator for patients who fail to get relief from their pain with conservative treatments or surgery. 

If you’re a candidate for the spinal cord stimulator, the team has you go through a trial run with the device before implantation. During the trial, the team places the electrodes on the areas of your spine causing your pain, and you wear the generator on your waist. 

The team has you use the spinal cord stimulator for several days to determine if it makes a good pain management option for you. If the spinal cord stimulator reduces your pain by at least 50%, the team recommends placement of the device.

Placement of the permanent spinal cord stimulator occurs under general anesthesia. Your surgeon removes the temporary electrodes and replaces them with the permanent electrodes. They place the generator in the abdominal cavity and attach the electrodes.

You can expect some discomfort from the surgical placement of your spinal cord stimulator. However, you should experience relief from your back pain right away. 

You control the electrical impulses to the implanted generator with the external remote. With this hand-held device, you can turn the generator on or off and change the intensity, frequency, and length of the impulses.

Though results vary, many people experience significant relief from their chronic pain condition after placement of a spinal cord stimulator.

To see if a spinal cord stimulator can help you, call Southern Idaho Pain Institute or schedule a consultation online today.