Spinal Cord Stimulation / Dorsal Column Stimulation (SCS/DCS)

Overview

If you’ve already tried medications, physical therapy, steroid injections or nerve blocks and you still have chronic pain, then SCS/DCS may be the next step for successful treatment. If the “trial run” we perform indicates that your pain responds to SCS/DCS, we will implant a permanent system. This consists of a tiny power source implanted under the skin of your abdomen or upper buttock. The device is undetectable beneath clothing. When the implantation is completed, we’ll fine-tune the settings to achieve the optimal level of stimulation for controlling your pain. After instruction in using the system’s controller, you can self-manage how much electrical stimulation you need to maintain pain control.

Procedure Details and Expectations

The “trial run” or testing the efficacy of SCS/DCS for you:

• A local anesthetic will numb the implant area.
• Through a small incision, we’ll place very thin wires (leads) under the skin and into the space around your spinal cord (epidural space).
• The leads will be connected to a power source about the size of a cell phone, which you’ll carry with you during the trial period.
• If SCS/DCS is effective in controlling your pain, you’ll return in a few weeks for the permanent power source (generator.)

Implanting the permanent system:

• This minimally-invasive surgery takes 1 to 2 hours under general anesthesia in the hospital 
• We’ll make a small surgical incision and place the tiny permanent generator under the skin of your abdomen or upper buttock.
• The generator is battery-powered by either rechargeable or long-life batteries lasting up to 5 years. Surgery is required to replace the battery.