Spinal Cord Stimulators for Neuropathic Pain

Yes, spinal cord stimulation, otherwise known as SCS, can be an effective treatment for neuropathic pain, including pain due to neuropathy. Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure that involves surgically implanting a small device and electrodes along the spinal cord that use electrical impulses to decrease the number of pain signals to the brain. This allows for pain relief in many individuals and can even help improve quality of life.

The effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation for neuropathy will depend on several factors, such as the cause and type of neuropathy, the overall health of the patient, as well as the individual response of the patient. SCS may be a considerable treatment option when other pain management methods for neuropathy do not work. For example, many get a spinal cord stimulator after trying medications, physical therapy, and pain management injections.

Typically, you will have a trial spinal cord stimulator before you receive the permanent implant to see the effectiveness of the device against your neuropathy. It is also vital that you consult someone who specializes in either pain management or neurology to ensure that SCS is right for you.

Spinal cord stimulation may not be a good option for everyone, even if you do experience chronic or neuropathic pain. Certain factors or conditions may prevent some individuals from getting spinal cord stimulation. For example, pregnant women are not usually suitable candidates for spinal cord stimulation because the risk of complications may be increased due to the physiological changes in a pregnant person’s body. Instead, it is recommended that a stimulator wait after childbirth. In addition, individuals who have an ongoing spinal infection, spinal tumor, or osteoporosis may also not be eligible for SCS treatment. Other groups that may not benefit from SCS include people with blood clotting disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications. This group of people may face challenges and risks during the actual implantation procedure. Similarly, all people who are unable to receive surgery due to their health constraints are typically discouraged from undergoing this procedure. Thorough evaluations of an individual’s condition and overall health must be made by a medical professional before one receives a spinal cord stimulator.

The process of determining whether spinal cord stimulation is right for your neuropathy often consists of several steps, including professional evaluation from a pain management specialist or neurologist. During a consultation, your doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, past treatments, and medical history. They will help to determine your eligibility for spinal cord stimulation. If they do approve SCS for you, they may also recommend physical therapy, meditation, or lifestyle changes to enhance the pain relief of SCS.

Historically, spinal cord stimulation has been utilized to treat many types of pain, including neuropathic pain, especially when previous treatments have had little to no effect. Nevertheless, there are a few things to consider before deciding if spinal cord stimulation is the best option for you. Among these are the type of pain, cause of pain, severity of symptoms, response to other treatments, and mental health.

The most effective way to predict whether or not a person may be a good candidate is by running a 5 – 7 day trial period with a temporary stimulator. This is usually an external device that is used as a sort of test run before the actual spinal cord stimulator. Based on the pain relief with the temporary device, a more accurate prediction can be made about the effectiveness of the real implant.

Coverage for spinal cord stimulation will vary depending on your specific plan. However, it will typically be covered in cases where it is deemed medically necessary. They may also cover the temporary implant and wait to see the results before approving coverage for the permanent implant. For more specific coverage details and an estimate for the out-of-pocket costs, you can consult your insurance provider. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.