Spinal Cord Stimulation
Take Control of Your Pain With Apex!
What is it?
Spinal cord stimulation is helpful for alleviating chronic pain that occurs in the back, neck, arms, and legs by using electrical impulses. Research leads us to believe that electrical impulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. As such, this can be an effective treatment for those who experience neuropathic pain resulting from nerve compression or
associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This procedure could also be incorporated into a care plan for those who are managing post-laminectomy syndrome, post-surgical syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, chronic pain syndrome or chronic spine pain.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
Your provider will likely run through labs, imaging, and other diagnostic tests to make sure that you are a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation. Once the procedure is scheduled, your doctor will give you specific instructions for preparation. It’s important to have a thorough conversation with your doctor about any medications that you may be taking, including any herbs, supplements, or non-prescription drugs, as your provider might adjust your intake. Since spinal cord stimulation involves sedation or general anesthesia, it is likely that you will have to limit food and fluid intake for a certain amount of time before the procedure. Your doctor may also give you a specific set of instructions to follow for cleansing the site, which could include a specific type of soap or hygiene products for the skin.
What should I expect after the procedure?
Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions for both the trial and permanent implantation procedures as it pertains to you. After the trial insertion procedure, you will likely be able to return home on the same day or the day after. This trial will generally last for a week, before you return to your provider to determine if you would like to continue with the permanent implantation. After the permanent implantation, patients typically return home the same day. It is normal to feel mild discomfort and observe some swelling at the incision for a few days. Your care team will schedule a follow-up appointment after the permanent implantation procedure to check on your healing progress and remove staples and/or stitches at the incision site.
If you are experiencing pain, we invite you to contact us and schedule an appointment to discuss your pain management needs. Our dedicated Apex team is here to help you on your journey towards a healthier and more pain-free life! Let’s find out if spinal cord stimulation is right for you.
