Back pain can be debilitating and destroy the quality of your life. Back issues are challenging to diagnose and usually require various treatments with several risks and benefits. But spinal cord stimulator has given an opportunity to people to get rid of back pain for a lifetime.
It’s a relatively new technology, and helping patients with different issues. Despite offering several benefits and not having severe risks, people still avoid this effective treatment because of some myths.
To help people make the right decisions, we have busted some common myths regarding spinal cord stimulator surgery. Continue reading to learn more about the procedure.
Myth#1: Spinal Cord Stimulation Takes Month for Recovery
Complete recovery with spinal cord stimulator implantation takes 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, your body will try to heal the small incision made to implant the stimulator. Your body will also fix the stimulator into its place to prevent it from moving.
Unlike other surgical backbone treatments, you can perform every type of activity- from house chores to office work. However, your doctor might suggest you refrain from activities that require heavy lifting or pressure on your back. You also need to avoid activities like climbing, bending, or twisting.
Myth#2: Spinal Cord Stimulator is Not Effective
Well, this is the most common myth, but the truth is entirely different. In fact, the opposite. Research indicates that patients with back pain can reduce around 54% to 87% degree of pain after undergoing the procedure. These stimulation devices can eliminate pain that has refused to go after traditional pain relief treatments. The device will save you from relying on back pain-relieving therapies and medications.
Furthermore, this treatment can increase activity and mobility, help you live a comfortable life, save you from depending on bracing, and improve sleep. A spinal cord stimulator will improve the function of your back, helping you to perform daily activities easily that were once challenging for you.
Myth#3: Spinal Cord Stimulation is Not for Everyone
The spinal cord stimulator procedure is suitable for various patients with back pain. It can help to treat different types of pain that are failed to improve with non-invasive treatment. In fact, stimulation therapy can also help people with complex regional pain syndrome.
The device will send stimulation to the target areas to mitigate pain when implanted. Therefore, it works for most types of back issues. However, the device needs changing, follow-ups, and wound management to gain its benefits. Here are some conditions that you can treat with a spinal cord stimulator procedure:
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Chronic Sciatica or Arm Pain
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Arachnoiditis
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
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Multiple sclerosis
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Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Myth#4: This Process is Not Reversible
One of the most significant advantages of spinal cord stimulation is that it is reversible. This is a benefit that you can’t get from other invasive treatments. Your chosen experts will make small incisions on your back to insert the device. Since the device is safely adjusted under your skin, you can remove it.
Another critical thing to mention is that you can also test the device before getting a permanent spinal cord stimulator. The experts will set the device above your skin that you can use for a couple of days or weeks to assess the results. If you see the difference in your pain and notice at least a 50% reduction, this indicates that the process will work for you. In this case, you can choose this procedure to live a healthy and happy life.
Myth#5: Spinal Cord Stimulator is a Non-Invasive Treatment
We have already discussed that a spinal cord stimulator is a surgical process. But it’s not a major one and nothing to worry about. Experts make a small incision on your back that is relatively less serious. Also, the incisions require only a few weeks for healing, so you don’t need to worry about getting infections or experiencing bleeding.
Myth#6: The Device Can Treat the Core Problem
Spinal cord stimulation doesn’t treat the root cause of the problem. It is a small device, similar to a peacemaker, that works on electrical impulses to mask pain before the signal reaches your brain. This medical device is placed under your skin and delivers electrical signals to the target to relieve pain in that area.
However, if you remove the device and don’t treat the back issue, you might start to feel the pain again. In a nutshell, the results are not permanent.
Myth#7: The stimulator will be Visible Under Your Skin
Spinal cord stimulator devices are just the size of a silver dollar. People can never notice the implanted device unless you tell them you have spinal cord stimulators implanted in your back. Some people can only feel their devices by pressing on their skin. But this is not something that should concern you, as it’s totally normal.
Myth#8: Treatment Might Prevent you from Getting Pregnant
One of the primary concerns of people is that they might not get pregnant after getting the pain-relieving device. Well, this is certainly not true. The treatment has no lasting effect and doesn’t impact fertility.
Most people don’t face any complications during pregnancy and easily deliver children. Women might face a bit problem during pregnancy if they have back issues or prolonged pain. If you are skeptical, you can discuss it with experts to determine whether it will work for you.
Bottom Line
So, if you have decided to opt for this procedure, experts at DrRogers can help you. We are a team of experienced and qualified professionals trained to help patients with different types of back pain. You can contact us to get support or guidance about the procedure. We will be more than happy to help you.