Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal Cord Stimulation at New Hampshire NeuroSpine Institute

New Hampshire NeuroSpine Institute specializes in Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) therapy as an alternative treatment for chronic pain. An estimated 100 million people suffer from chronic pain, and with the rise in opioid related overdoses, SCS has had success in helping patients significantly reduce or eliminate the need for opioid usage for pain management.

These new models of neuromodulation devices are both extremely reliable in obtaining good results for various clinical situations of chronic pain, such as failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. SCS sends electrical impulses that trigger nerve fibers along the spinal cord, masking the pain message that travels to the brain. When this happens, the pain can be diminished or eliminated all together.

“One of the many advantages of SCS, is that patients are able to ‘test drive’ an external version of the device before having the permanent device surgically placed,” said New Hampshire NeuroSpine Institute Neurosurgeon, Dr. Neal Luther. “This allows patients the chance to see if SCS is an effective treatment option for their pain.”

The patient also gets a wireless remote control that they can increase or decrease the electrical impulses to manage their pain. The external version is typically worn anywhere from a few days to a week. If they do see results in pain management from the ‘test drive,’ then the patient will undergo another procedure to implant the permanent device. The leads may be inserted in a procedure similar to an epidural. Patients can remain awake under local anesthesia and light sedation. In other cases, general anesthesia may be administered.

Besides a cordless remote control, the patient will also receive a portable, cordless charger and a base station for the charger. Many people with failed back surgeries have seen success with SCS, allowing them to manage their pain more effectively. In many cases, opioid usage for pain management was drastically decreased, or even eliminated.

Talk to your pain provider to see if SCS would be a good option for you.