Spinal cord stimulators are devices capable of masking pain signals, making sure patients feel less pain. These are tiny devices that bear resemblance with a peacemaker and their main job is to send electrical pulses towards the spinal cord.
This helps people manage chronic pain more effectively while making sure they do not have to rely on opioid medications too much. A spinal cord stimulator is usually an option for those who suffer from chronic arm, leg or back pain and haven’t seen any improvements with other types of therapies.
Who is Eligible for Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants?
Before getting a spinal cord stimulator planted permanently in your back, you need to go through a trial. In most cases, if the trial is successful and able to reduce your pain by at least fifty percent, and allows you to sleep and function properly, you can qualify for a permanent SCS placement.
The procedure for permanently implanting a spinal cord stimulation device is quite similar to how experts place the device during the trial period.
Where is the Procedure Performed?
The procedure to implant a spinal cord stimulator permanently is performed in outpatient settings, either by pain medicine specialists or spine surgeons. In some cases, people are even able to go home the same day they get the device implanted. Usually, the procedure takes about thirty to ninety minutes.
However, there are cases when some experts plant the device after administering patients with general anesthesia. Like the SCS procedure, an electrode is also surgically implanted in the epidural space present in the outer area of the spinal column. The medicine specialists or spine surgeons utilize an anesthetic for numbing the area prior to inserting the lead.
In some situations, the lead used for the spinal cord stimulator trial is the same one that experts use when planting a permanent SCS.
What Else Is Implanted?
A small device or neurotransmitter is implanted underneath the skin, mainly in the upper back/buttock, stomach or upper chest area. The main purpose of this device is to send electrical signals to the spinal cord stimulator.
Almost every spinal cord stimulator’s manufacturer has representatives who show patients how to use the device’s control and adjust the stimulation levels. While some neurostimulaors have rechargeable batteries, others are non-rechargeable. Your healthcare professional will help you choose a device that is most suitable for you.
What is the Pre-Surgery Procedure?
One of the first things you will do once you reach the outpatient facility is sign a consent form, along with a few other forms. This is important as it will let your surgeon know about your medical history, previous medications, surgeries and other important items. You will also need to go through some pre-surgical procedures including a chest x-ray, electrocardiogram and blood test a few days before the surgery happens.
Upon analyzing your medical history, your primary care physician may ask you to stop taking certain medications to make sure you are ready for surgery. Also, make sure to take the medications recommended by your surgeon and stop consuming any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like naproxen and ibuprofen a week before the surgery.
Steer clear from drinking alcohol or using nicotine a week before and two weeks after the surgery is complete. Doing so will allow you to heel more effectively. Your surgeon may also ask you to thoroughly wash your skin with Dial soap or Hibiclens before the surgery to avoid surgical site infections and kill bacteria. (Avoid getting the Hibiclens in your genital areas, nose, ears and eyes.)
What to Do on the Morning of Your Surgery at the Outpatient Setting
- Do not drink or eat after midnight prior to your surgery unless your surgeon explicitly tells you otherwise. However, they may ask you to take certain medicines with tiny amounts of water
- Use an antibacterial soap to shower and wear loose fitting, freshly washed clothes
- Make sure the shoes you wear are flat heeled with closed backs
- Show your doctors a list of allergies to foods or medication
- Create a list of the prescriptions, herbal supplements and other medications you are taking and show it to the doctor. Do not forget to mention the dosages.
- Leave jewelry and other important valuables at home
- Remove nail polish, body piercings, contacts, hairpins and makeup
Reach the outpatient setting an hour before the surgery to make sure you can complete pre procedure work ups and fill the necessary paperwork. Once you arrive, an anesthesiologist will explain to you how the anesthesia will work, along with its risk. After that, the anesthesiologist will place the intravenous IV in your arm.
How Long does it take to Get Released?
Once you wake up after the surgery, your respiration, heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored by the experts at the outpatient facility. More often than not, patients are discharged at the same day or the next morning, depending on the severity of their condition. Before you leave the outpatient setting, an SCS expert will program your pulse generator. You will also receive written instructions regarding the device before leaving. Make sure you follow them to a T and book a follow up appointment 2 weeks after you are released.
Consult an Expert
If you are a resident in Los Angeles or its vicinity and want to learn about the procedure outpatient settings follow before implanting a spinal cord stimulator, we at DrRogers can help. Our experienced surgeons can evaluate your condition and inform you about the procedure you will go through to make sure you feel at ease.
Contact us today to speak to one of our team members and Request an appointment to visit our clinic.