Most people’s spinal cord pain might last a lifetime. The patient’s life may be significantly impacted by spinal cord problems, preventing them from carrying out routine tasks. There are several ways to treat spinal cord pain, including a spinal cord stimulator (SCS).
In this piece, we’ll look at what SCS is, the procedure of installing the device into your spinal cord, and the information regarding how it affects a patient’s life.
What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
The Spinal Cord Stimulator, or SCS, is implanted into the spinal cord. It eases pain by injecting low levels of electricity directly into the spine. The surgeon suggests using SCS when non-surgical options fail to relieve the patient’s symptoms.
The procedure involves two steps: testing and implanting the device. The stimulator helps improve the patient’s quality and sleep and reduces the need for painkillers.
The device includes thin wires known as electrodes with a small battery pack called the generator. The wires are between the backbones and the spinal cord, and placed under the skin is a power output near the abdomen or buttocks.
With the use of remote control, low electric vibrations are sent to the spinal cord to relieve chronic pain experienced by the patient. The remote and the antenna are employed outside the patient’s body, enabling accessibility for device control.
What’s It Like Living With A Spinal Cord Stimulator?
It’s hard to understand the patient’s pain unless you’re a medical professional or someone with the same symptoms yourself. Chronic pain can be exhausting and tiring as it can physically deteriorate the body from the inside.
Patients treated through this method state that they’ve returned to their everyday lives with less pain and more mobility. So, living with an SCS implanted in the patient’s body allows them to take fewer opioids and other pain medication.
Who Needs A Spinal Cord Stimulator?
Spinal cord stimulation is most frequently employed when nonsurgical pain management methods are ineffective.
You might qualify for SCS if:
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Traditional treatments have failed.
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You can’t get it operated
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Due to the hazards and lengthy recovery, you do not want to have any more surgery.
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You don’t have any health issues that would prevent you from getting implants.
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Your SCS trial was successful.
Types of Spinal Cord Stimulators
The spinal cord stimulators come in 3 categories:
Traditional Implantable Pulse Generator
These are battery-operated SCSs, where the placement of the battery is in the spine during the operation. Another surgery is to take place to charge the battery or replace it. The device is suitable for people with pain in one part of the body due to its lower electrical output.
Rechargeable Implantable Pulse Generator
These devices work similar to traditional IPG devices. However, the battery is rechargeable without additional surgery. These stimulators can produce more electricity because the energy source is rechargeable. Given that the electrical signal can travel deeper, this might be a better option for persons who experience lower back pain or pain in both or one of the legs.
Radiofrequency Stimulator
The device uses its battery outside of the body. The design of this device is currently used as newer and better technology designs. The device’s batteries are rechargeable and are better for pain in the legs and lower back due to their power.
Travel Restrictions with Spinal Cord Stimulator
The implantable generator used in SCS delivers low-level electric pulses. Therefore, patients must be careful with certain lifestyle decisions. One of them is traveling.
Metal detectors and other airport equipment might pick up your spinal cord stimulation system. As a result, you’ll need to contact the relevant organizations to get a patient identity card that will make it easier for you to pass through security checkpoints. If you have a spinal cord stimulator transmitter, you might need to switch it off during takeoff and landing.
While handling heavy machinery or while driving, you must switch the stimulator off. However, if you’re a passenger in a car, you’re allowed to keep the stimulator on.
How Often Should Spinal Cord Stimulators Be Replaced?
The lifespan of the SCS device depends entirely on the battery rather than the device itself. Those devices that are not rechargeable are replaced every two to five years, but with a rechargeable battery, the device lasts 10 years or more.
Charging your battery the right way is essential to avoid damage to the device or yourself. An alert indicating the impending need for a recharge is sent when an SCS device’s battery begins to run low. Typically, the recharge procedure entails the following:
- The fully charged charger (from a base station) is placed on the skin over the implanted SCS device. Many systems come with a belt to hold the charger easily where it should be.
- Adjust the charger’s internal antenna to maximize the signal’s strength as it travels to the SCS device. Signal strength can be improved by adjusting the charger’s and the belt’s angle.
- Depending on the device, it may take the charger 45 minutes to several hours to finish
Complications Of A Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery
Though the symptoms are uncommon, some patients may experience complications after the procedure. These include:
- Infection, which could happen in the first two to eight weeks.
- Bleeding
- Device migration, in which the electrodes shift from their initial position and the stimulator is less efficient at blocking pain. In many cases, a second surgery is necessary to reposition the electrodes.
- Equipment damage (e.g., a fall or intense physical activity breaks the stimulator).
Consult An Expert Today!
As discussed, the life of a patient with an SCS device implanted into their body can provide relief from chronic spinal cord pain. With the help of a medical professional, you can ensure the safety of your body along with better pain relief methods.
Our professionals at DrRogers can evaluate your health condition; provide you with insight, tips, and better planning before and after your procedure. If you’re still confused, don’t be afraid to contact our team of medical professionals to help you with your journey of pain relief.