Dorsal column stimulator skin#

If the device fails to offer relief for your chronic pain, it is easily removed.

The implant used in spinal cord stimulation does not cause damage to the spinal cord nerves. Some patients will be given a handheld programmer, giving them the freedom to adjust their own neuromodulation therapy as needed. Depending on the type and severity of your pain, our physicians will recommend the most appropriate type of neurostimulator as well as program it to the proper frequency and pulse. As a result, patients may experience a tingling sensation instead of the pain. Once implanted, the sophisticated device works by emitting an electrical current to the spinal cord. Recovery is quick and downtime is minimal to none, although you may need to avoid strenuous activity for a period of time.

Dorsal column stimulator skin#

A second tiny incision is made between the skin and the muscle layers in the buttocks or abdomen to secure the neurostimulator device where the wires will be connected. One small incision is used to place the wires (or leads) of the device into the epidural space, which is the outermost space of the spinal canal. The procedure can take one to three hours and is performed under advanced digital imaging for optimal accuracy. Spinal cord stimulation involves a minimally-invasive procedure in which small incisions are made to insert the battery-operated neurostimulator device. In addition, neuromodulation is reversible if needed and non-invasively adjustable to better manage patient symptoms. Decades of use and research have proven that neuromodulation is a safe, effective and sustainable treatment for chronic pain and movement disorders. In the case of spinal cord stimulation, the nervous tissues on a specific portion of the spinal cord are targeted as a means to block pain signals to the brain. Spinal cord stimulation is the most established form of neuromodulation, a proven therapy which involves direct stimulation of the nervous system using electrical signals. How Does Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain Work?