Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Implant

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Implant for Chronic Pain Management

Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) are small, implanted devices that deliver low-level electrical pulses to help relieve chronic pain. These devices are used to treat ongoing pain that is not relieved by medication; this pain can be located in the back, legs, arms, or neck. 

SCS is also often also referred to as spinal nerve root stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG stimulation), and peripheral nerve stimulation.

At New Jersey Brain and Spine’s Physiatry Center, our experts have extensive experience addressing pain management, and suggesting approaches including SCS. 

What is spinal cord stimulation used for?

Spinal cord stimulators may be used to treat or manage different types of chronic pain, especially back pain that continues even after surgery. But that’s not all SCS is appropriate for. 

Spinal cord stimulation may also be used to treat pain associated with:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Nerves (such as cancer-related neuropathy, or diabetic neuropathy)
• Angina 
• Amputations
• Arachnoiditis (inflammation of the arachnoid, a thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord)

Spinal cord stimulation can improve overall quality of life and sleep, and reduce the need for pain medicines. It is typically used in concert with other pain management treatments, including exercise and physical therapy.

Is a spinal cord stimulator implant a major surgery?

The implantation procedure is considered minimally invasive and is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. The implantation procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation, so patients typically do not experience pain during the surgery. It involves placing a small device under the skin and inserting leads near the spinal cord. Post-operative discomfort can be managed with medications. 

Who is a good candidate for a spinal cord stimulator?

Chronic pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) or post-laminectomy syndrome affects about 40 percent of patients who undergo spine surgery. Many of these patients are among the 30,000 people annually in the U.S. who undergo surgery to implant a spinal cord stimulator. The percentage of patients with substantial relief over the course of one and two years post-implant for pain in various parts of the body is high. One study indicates that leg pain, for instance, was alleviated in 68% of patients in the first year, and in 63% of patients in the second year after the outpatient procedure. 

However, not all patients are good candidates for SCS. Those who are pregnant, and others with active infections or bleeding disorders may not be suitable, and a thorough evaluation by a New Jersey Brain & Spine provider will determine eligibility.

Case Study: A Successful Spinal Cord Stimulator Procedure

Pam is a 50-year-old restaurant server who lives in Hackensack but takes the train into Manhattan for work. As a diabetic, she experiences frequent leg pain associated with neuropathy. 

She was looking for relief from her chronic pain and turned to New Jersey Brain & Spine, which is located close to her apartment. Her physician identified a rechargeable implantable pulse generator (IPG), which is rechargeable without surgery and puts out more electricity than battery-operated IPGs. 

After a simple outpatient surgery and a two-week recovery period, Pam’s pain is greatly relieved and she is back to spending time on her feet at work without concern. Because Pam doesn’t drive—which is discouraged for patients who’ve had spinal cord stimulator implantation—she was an ideal candidate for the procedure. 

What are the restrictions or lifestyle considerations for those with a spinal cord stimulator?

Permanent restrictions for those with spinal cord stimulator may include avoiding activities that involve high-impact movements or exposure to strong magnetic fields, such as scuba diving, and undergoing MRI procedures without device compatibility.

It’s also advised that patients don’t drive while their spinal cord stimulator is turned on, 

because electrical impulses may affect concentration and reaction times.

If you or a loved one has been determined eligible for spinal cord stimulation treatment, contact New Jersey Brain and Spine. Our teams in Paramus, Hackensack, Montvale, Annendale, and Montclair are at the forefront of using the latest protocols and technologies to maximize safety and outcomes.

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