The biggest benefits of spinal cord stimulation treatment are that it is a non-medicinal, minimally invasive, reversible pain treatment. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this pain therapy.

Those who have undergone back surgery and are still in significant pain, suffer from a condition called FBSS or failed back surgery syndrome. They can benefit from Spinal cord stimulation treatment. Other patients for whom this treatment can prove effective are those suffering from nerve pain associated with chronic conditions like CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) or peripheral neuropathy.

Spinal cord stimulators are implanted through a minimally-invasive procedure. Thin leads are inserted into the back through a hollow needle and implanted into the spinal cord. A small device called a generator is surgically implanted in the abdomen or buttocks. The wires are connected to the generator and deliver rhythmic pulses of electricity into the spinal cord.

Patients can try spinal cord stimulators before implantation. If it fails to relieve or reduce your pain, the leads (wires) can be easily removed. On the other hand, if the patient and doctor determine that the treatment is effective, the generator can be permanently implanted.

Conditions where Spinal Cord Stimulation can be most effective are –

• Neuropathic pain
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Post-laminectomy syndrome (failed back surgery syndrome)