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More than 30,000 people receive spinal cord stimulator implants each year. If you experience back pain, nerve pain, or other forms of chronic discomfort, see the experts at Desert Pain Specialists in Rancho Mirage, California. Highly trained pain management specialists Roland Reinhart, MD, and Meaghan Berglund, PA-C, use spinal cord stimulation to ease pain long-term and optimize your quality of life. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Q & A
What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation at Desert Pain Specialists is a pain-reducing treatment that inserts a tiny medical device underneath your skin. The device emits electrical impulses to targeted areas of your body, using a remote control, to ease any discomfort. It’s often an alternative to surgery or addictive medications for quick pain relief.
See a Desert Pain Specialists provider at the first sign of severe or ongoing discomfort, especially in your back, to determine if spinal cord stimulation is right for you.
Which conditions can spinal cord stimulation help treat?
A spinal cord stimulator can help ease pain caused by the following conditions:
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Back pain
- Pain after back surgery (failed back surgery syndrome)
- Nerve pain
- Heart or chest pain
- Spinal cord injuries
- Abdominal pain
- Perineal pain
- Discomfort after amputation
Your pain specialist decides which pain-reducing treatment is the most appropriate based on the type and severity of your condition.
Am I a candidate for spinal cord stimulation?
The Desert Pain Specialist team determines if spinal cord stimulation is right for you by discussing your medical history and symptoms and completing physical and neurological exams.
They may order blood work and/or imaging procedures. If other treatments like physical therapy or injections haven’t eased the discomfort, your provider may suggest spinal cord stimulation.
What should I expect during spinal cord stimulation implantation?
You must first undergo a spinal cord implantation trial procedure to ensure that a spinal cord stimulator will effectively ease your discomfort. Your pain specialist attaches electrodes to the epidural space while you relax under sedation. They leave a pulse generator (tiny medical device) outside of your body to ensure it works effectively during the trial period.
If the spinal cord stimulation trial is effective, your provider implants permanent leads and a pulse generator under the skin near your upper buttocks area. They secure the generator in place and program it.
After spinal cord stimulator implantation, you can typically head home the same day (sometimes the following day). Follow your post-care instructions to ensure effective healing. You might need to limit physical activity for about 4-6 weeks. You can use a remote control programmed to your spinal cord stimulator to emit electrical impulses when you feel pain.
Learn more about spinal cord stimulation and determine if it’s right for you by calling the Desert Pain Specialists office or booking an appointment online today.