LASTING RELIEF WITH SPINAL CORD STIMULATION
The journey to treating chronic pain can be long and hard. Some patients go through many different treatments as they try to find relief. At AVALA Pain, we always exhaust conservative pain management treatments first. We want to talk about a treatment we offer called “spinal cord stimulation” (SCS).
SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR (SCS)
Spinal cord stimulators have been around since the 1960s and have come a long way since. This minimally invasive surgery places small electrodes into the epidural space and an implantable battery to block pain signals in the spinal cord. Luckily, modern technology has addressed past issues like MRI compatibility, large batteries, and short battery life.
WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM SCS?
NEXT STEPS
Typically, we will start discussing spinal cord stimulators after the patient completes physical therapy and steroid injection procedures. If those methods do not work, SCS might be an option. First, the patient will undergo a “trial” to see if this can provide relief. If so, we can proceed with inserting the more permanent stimulator.
WHAT’S A TRIAL?
A quick outpatient procedure places a lead in your spine connected to an external battery. You’ll try it out for 3-7 days to see if it relieves your pain. If it works, an implant can be scheduled.
ON THE DAY OF IMPLANT
You’ll have a short outpatient procedure with two small incisions. The battery, slightly larger than a matchbox, is placed in one of them. You’ll have a follow-up visit within a week and work with your device rep to fine-tune the settings.
ANOTHER OPTION: DORSAL ROOT GANGLION (DRG) STIMULATOR
DRG stimulation is like SCS but targets specific nerve groups, which can help with more localized pain, like in the knee, ankle, or pelvis.
A VISIT WITH AVALA PAIN
If you’re tired of living with pain and want to explore whether a spinal cord stimulator could help, AVALA Pain’s Dr. William Chiang is here to guide you through the process! Schedule a consultation today to discuss your options and take the first step toward pain relief.
