Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator works by delivering mild electrical signals to the spinal cord, helping interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.

Before surgery:

• Patients complete a successful stimulator trial with their pain management specialist

• The results of the trial help determine whether a permanent system is appropriate

• Your surgeon reviews your history and imaging to confirm the device is a good option

Spinal cord stimulation can be very effective for carefully selected patients, but it is not ideal for every pain condition. Conditions such as significant spinal stenosis, spinal imbalance, or SI joint dysfunction may require other treatments as well.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes about one hour.

During surgery:

• You are positioned on your stomach

• Small leads are placed into the epidural space around the spinal cord using X-ray guidance

• The leads are advanced to the location where the best pain relief was achieved during the trial

• A battery is placed under the skin, typically in the flank area between the ribs and hip

• The leads are connected to the battery and secured in place

• The incisions are closed and covered

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and most patients return home the same day.

Day of Surgery

• Most patients go home the same day

• Walking is encouraged

First 1-2 Weeks

• Focus on incision healing

• Avoid submerging the incisions underwater

• Showering is allowed

• Gradually increase activity as tolerated

1-2 Weeks After Surgery

• The stimulator is typically activated and programmed by the device representative

• Adjustments can be made to optimize pain relief

1 Month

• Follow-up appointment to assess healing and device performance

Recovery is generally focused on allowing the incisions to heal while gradually returning to normal activities.

The goal of spinal cord stimulation is to reduce chronic pain and improve quality of life.

Potential benefits include:

• Reduced pain levels

• Improved daily function

• Increased activity tolerance

• Reduced reliance on pain medications

• A customizable treatment that can be adjusted over time

Because patients complete a trial before implantation, most have a good understanding of the relief they can expect from the permanent system.

• Every procedure carries risks, though serious complications are uncommon.

  Most Common Risks

  • Wound healing problems

  • Infection around the implant

  If an infection develops around the device, removal of the stimulator may be necessary.

  Other Risks

  • Spinal fluid leak

  • Headaches related to spinal fluid leakage

  • Lead migration

  • Lead fracture

  • Battery or device malfunction

  • Need for future programming adjustments or revisions

  While spinal cord stimulators are highly reliable, they are implanted devices and occasional hardware-related issues can occur.