The experienced team at Spinal Diagnostics consider using spinal cord stimulation to relieve chronic back, neck, leg, or arm pain caused by conditions like:

• Sciatica
• Herniated discs
• Osteoarthritis
• Bone spurs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Failed back surgery
• Complex regional pain syndrome

Patients with painful peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease might also benefit from spinal cord stimulation.

The spinal cord stimulator is made up of three components. The first, a small generator that produces the electrical impulses, is implanted under the skin of your abdomen, upper chest, or upper buttocks.

The second part consists of long, flexible wires with multiple leads. Your doctor at Spinal Diagnostics uses X-ray imaging to see the wires as they’re threaded along your spine. The leads are placed near the spinal nerves responsible for sending pain signals to your brain.

The third component is the remote controller. Your doctor uses the controller to program the frequency and strength of the electrical impulses. You’ll use it to turn the generator on and off.

You’ll have a trial period to determine if your pain is relieved with spinal cord stimulation. During your trial, your doctor places the wires along your spine, but you’ll wear the generator around your waist.

After about a week of using the spinal cord stimulator, you’ll know if it provides enough relief to implant the generator. If it doesn’t help, your doctor at Spinal Diagnostics can easily remove the wires.

If your trial period is successful, then you’re likely a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation. Your doctor will recommend a trial if:

• Your debilitating pain has lasted at least three months
• Conservative treatments fail to relieve your pain
• You don’t want or can’t have surgery
• You don’t have a medical condition that could prohibit the implantation procedure

To learn if spinal cord stimulation can relieve your pain, call Spinal Diagnostics or book an appointment online today.