Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) offered by Global Pain Solutions is a safe and effective treatment for various types of back pain, neck pain, joint pain, nerve pain, knee pain, and other chronic pain conditions. It is often considered when other treatments have been unsuccessful. To explore this option, please contact at 602-610-7299 or book an appointment online.

Injection Choices and Treated Conditions

Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure that uses electrical currents to reduce chronic pain by interfering with pain signals sent from nerves to the brain. The technology is Bluetooth wireless, allowing easy control without medication-related side effects. When pain signals are blocked, patients experience significant relief and improved quality of life.

How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works

SCS involves implanting a soft, insulated wire electrode into the epidural space near the spinal cord using fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance. During an initial outpatient trial lasting 5 to 7 days, a temporary electrode is placed under the skin to test if stimulation reduces pain. If successful, a permanent pulse generator is implanted in a short outpatient surgery. The device sends electrical pulses to disrupt pain signals; most patients feel a mild tingling instead of pain.

Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation

  • Reduces lumbar, neck, joint, and nerve pain
  • Effective for patients with failed back surgery syndrome
  • Reduces the need for pain medications
  • Improves mobility and function

Conditions Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation

  • Failed back surgery syndrome
  • Lumbar degenerative disc disease
  • Lumbar radicular pain
  • Bulging discs
  • Sciatica (lumbar radiculitis)
  • Cervical degenerative disc disease
  • Cervical radicular pain
  • Cervical spinal stenosis
  • Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and degeneration
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Central sensitization
  • Nerve root compression
  • Neuropathic pain marked by burning, tingling, or numbness
  • Chronic pain persisting for more than six months despite other treatments

Risks and Considerations

While generally safe and minimally invasive, spinal cord stimulation carries potential risks including infection, device malfunction, lead migration, and rare neurological complications. Patients may also experience discomfort from the electric impulses or device placement. It is important to discuss these risks with your physician and consider psychological factors that may affect treatment outcomes. The device requires maintenance and occasional reprogramming.

Spinal cord stimulation offers a cutting-edge option for managing chronic pain, improving daily life, and often reducing reliance on opioids and other pain medications