Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS):

This is a procedure where in a device (spinal cord stimulator) is used to exert pulsed electrical signals to the spinal cord to control pain. This is commonly used for the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome and refractory pain due to ischemia. This can be an effective alternative or adjunct treatment to other therapies that have failed to manage pain on their own.

Indications:

It is a Medtronic implantable neurostimulation system is indicated for spinal cord stimulation for chronic, intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs-including unilateral or bilateral pain for below:

• Multiple back operations
• Epidural fibrosis
• Peripheral causalgia
• Unsuccessful disk surgery
• Postlaminectomy pain

Treatment and Diagnosis:

The procedure involves the delivery of mild electrical signals into the epidural space.

When SCS is used selected chronic pain patients, neurostimulation may:

• Activity levels Increase.
• There is a improvement in pain relief
• Narcotic medications usage reduces
• Reduces surgery procedures, cost of healthcare
• Improved quality of life
• This is a non-destructive treatment compared with surgery
• Physician has control over patient

Risks:

There is risk similar to any surgery treatment like:

• Spinal Fluid Leakage
• Paralysis
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Allergic Reaction
• Paralysis

Benefits:

• In this procedure you get to decide when you need the procedure
• As the system is portable it would not affect your daily routine
• Travelling will not affect you as it would be with you, however sitting for a long time may affect
• Your extracurricular activities will not be affected like walking, swimming, and gardening

Preautions:

• You should not be driving or using heavy equipment; however you can be a passenger
• Spinal cord stimulators may set off metal detectors(surveillance areas)you need to carry a identification certificate that states you have spinal cord stimulation system
• When travelling by air the airline in charge may want you to turn off the stimulator while landing and take off
• The stimulator magnet may erase or cause damage to magnetic strips

Note: This can decrease your pain by 50-70% and there is guarantee that spinal cord stimulation will alleviate all of your discomfort.

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