Spinal Cord Stimulation Treatment Clinic Q&A

Spinal cord stimulation is a pain management treatment that masks pain signals through small electronic devices implanted subcutaneously. It blocks pain by interfering with the nerve signals involved in it. This disruption of the pain signal effectively eliminates pain and is commonly used to help manage chronic pain. It is a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective treatment for the management of chronic pain caused by neuropathic pain conditions, including chronic regional pain syndrome, failed back surgery syndrome, and chronic peripheral neuropathies. Increased awareness of and access to spinal cord stimulation therapy may allow more people to benefit from the relief of uncontrollable chronic pain and may reduce opioid consumption.

Spinal cord stimulation can help relieve pain caused by:

• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Nerve damage
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Arachnoiditis
• Stump pain
• Angina
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury
• Abdominal and perineal pain
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• CRPS or RSD
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Phantom limb pain 
• Postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles

Spinal cord stimulation is a safe and effective treatment for the management of chronic pain. Like most treatments, there are side effects associated with spinal cord stimulation, although rare. Implantation surgeries require general anesthesia, which has its own risks involved. Just as with any surgery, there is a risk of infection during wound healing. Additionally, the electrodes can move out of position over time, or the electrical stimulator can fail, which would require further surgery to replace the device or reposition the electrodes. Although extremely rare, the most dangerous complication associated with spinal cord stimulation is spinal epidural hematoma, or bleeding around the nerves of the spine. This can cause paralysis if not treated quickly. In other cases, stimulation can lose its efficacy, and when it stops providing relief, the pain can return.

Spinal cord stimulation is an effective treatment for pain management for many individuals with chronic pain. Although it is very beneficial for some people, it may not be suitable for everyone. Typically, good candidates for spinal cord stimulation meet the following requirements:

• Conservative therapies have offered no relief
• Would not benefit from additional surgery
• Pain is caused by a correctable problem
• Do not want further surgery because of the associated risks or recovery period
• Do not have untreated depression or drug addiction
• No medical conditions are present that would prevent implantation

If you or someone you know is experiencing chronic pain that is not effectively managed by conventional methods, come to Modern Pain Management to find treatment today. Our kind and compassionate professionals are experienced in treating chronic pain with spinal cord stimulation and can help provide you with the relief you need! For more information about our spinal cord stimulation treatments and how they can benefit you, visit our website or contact our clinic today. To book an appointment with one of our chronic pain specialists, you can schedule one online or over the phone. We serve patients from Houston TX, Sugar Land TX, Stafford TX, Pearland TX, Missouri City TX, Jersey Village TX, and Richmond TX.