A consultation with OPM may lead you to a new solution
If you suffer from chronic pain, something you may have considered, or your doctor may have mentioned, is spinal cord stimulation (SCS), also called neurostimulation.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is the stimulation of nerves by tiny electrical pulses. An implanted lead, which is powered by an implanted battery or receiver, is placed against the patient’s spinal cord. This system sends electrical pulses that block the pain messages to the patient’s brain resulting in a significant reduction in pain. Many people report a 50-70% reduction in pain. Think of it like a traffic jam you want to be in. Your spinal cord is the car, and although you wouldn’t be happy being stuck in traffic, you’re pleased for your pain to be “stuck” after utilizing the stimulator. Some patients will feel a tingling or buzzing sensation, known as paresthesia, instead of their usual pain. However, after the trial, if this feeling of tingling is annoying or disruptive to you, there are products available that do not have this feeling.
It should be noted that the SCS doesn’t eliminate your source of pain. It interrupts the signal to the brain. For this reason, the degree to which pain is alleviated varies from person to person. The device is usually implanted in the lower abdomen, hip or upper buttock, where it’ll be most comfortable and least visible. It may be felt as a little bump under your skin. The stimulator is then adjusted with a wireless hand held programmer to achieve optimal stimulation.
A complete implantable system generally includes four components:
Good candidates typically have severe chronic pain primarily in their arms or legs. Their pain is often neuropathic, typically marked by burning, tingling or numbness; most patients who have tried conservative therapies, but who have not experienced sufficient pain relief, are considered candidates for SCS therapy.
At Oklahoma Pain Management we use a variety of companies, offering a variety of SCS products to make sure we can provide the right SCS treatment for you. After initial consultation, you and your doctor will determine your options based on your particular need.
Every SCS implantation requires a trial period. The trial period can help match you with the right device and battery options. All devices can be removed if you decide even after the trial period that SCS therapy isn’t right for you.
For more information on how SCS can help you or the process of getting an SCS, please see our Frequently Asked Questions for Spinal Cord Stimulators.
Medtronic has many different options when it comes to SCS. There are primary cell (non-rechargeable batteries) and rechargeable stimulators available. Medtronic also offers AdaptiveStim ®, which is an advanced technology where stimulation is controlled automatically. When you change positions (from sitting to standing, for example) this technology will automatically adjust for position so you don’t get overstimulated. It remembers your last comfortable setting while you were in that position previously. AdaptiveStim ® is only available with the rechargeable battery. Medtronic has a device that will allow for full body MRIs in specific situations.
St. Jude Medical offers a variety of patient-centric SCS systems that include both rechargeable and non-rechargeable options. They also have upgradeable technology to help patients take advantage of future technology improvements as they’re approved.
The type of system that a patient receives is based on his or her lifestyle, pain pattern, power requirements, and willingness to maintain a charging routine. To help patients evaluate SCS therapy, St. Jude Medical recently launched their Invisible Trial System which leverages Apple™ technology for both the patient and physician controllers to provide patients a more improved and discreet SCS trial experience.
The new St. Jude Medical Proclaim system, which is offered by Oklahoma Pain Management, also utilizes Apple™ digital devices for both patient and physician controllers as well as Bluetooth® communication for a fully wireless experience.
The lifespan of a St. Jude Medical SCS system is dependent on a number of factors, such as whether the system is rechargeable or a non-rechargeable device (often called a primary cell device). The exact lifespan depends on how often the system is used, the device’s programming and other factors.
Nevro’s Senza® system, utilizes HF10™ therapy. Senza® is different from other SCS systems in that patients don’t experience paresthesia. Because there’s no tingling sensation occurring, it can be left switched on all the time, even when driving or sleeping. This device was given a superior labeling by the FDA over other traditional low-frequency SCS devices for the treatment of low back and leg pain.
It’s recommended to switch it off, however, when you go through security at airports and ask to be searched with a wand instead of going through the machine. The Nevro battery has 10 years of expected battery life but needs to be charged every day for 45 minutes.
If you feel that SCS therapy may be a good option for you, or you would like more information, please call our office at 405-242-4100 to schedule a SCS consultation.