Implantable Spinal Cord Stimulator

Up to 80% of people with chronic pain experience excellent long-term pain relief with an implantable spinal cord stimulator that masks pain signals. At Pain Management Centers of New England, the premier pain management practice in Massachusetts, the experienced providers offer integrative and comprehensive care in a comfortable and accessible setting. The physicians and advance practice providers staff multiple locations in Newburyport, Danvers, and Gloucester, Massachusetts, so call the nearest office to schedule a consultation or book online today.

What is an implantable spinal cord stimulator?

A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a permanent solution for chronic pain. Your Pain Management Centers of New England provider places the SCS under your skin, near your spinal cord. It transmits mild electrical pulses to your spinal cord through thin wires, and these pulses calm abnormal nerve activity and ease pain.

SCS devices have external remotes that you can use to adjust the pulse frequency and strength and turn the system on and off. Pain Management Centers of New England can set your SCS to the specific parameters that work best for you. 

The practice uses the most advanced SCS system available today: the Nevro HFX™. 

The state-of-the-art Nevro HFX system has the highest effectiveness ratings, with nearly 90% of patients experiencing dramatic pain relief and returning to normal activities. 

When might I need an implantable spinal cord stimulator?

SCS devices treat chronic neuropathic (nerve-related) pain in the back, arms, or legs. You might try an implantable spinal cord stimulator if you’ve already tried more conservative treatments without success.

Spinal cord stimulation is particularly effective for conditions and problems including

• Arthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Nerve damage
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Phantom limb pain
• Spinal cord injury 
• Angina (heart pain)
• Arachnoiditis (inflammation in the membrane covering the spinal cord and brain) 

If you have chronic pain outside your spine — migraines, abdominal pain, or shoulder pain, for example — you might need an alternative to SCS called a peripheral nerve stimulator. In peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), the implant goes in the specific area of pain instead of the spinal cord.

How does the implantable spinal cord stimulator process work?

Before you get a permanent SCS, you have an SCS trial. The trial is an incision-free procedure to place two wires near the spinal cord. The wires connect to an external device.

You wear the trial SCS for a week and monitor your pain closely. Generally, if your trial SCS reduces your pain by half or more, the trial is a success, and you can move ahead with a permanent implant. 

An implantable spinal cord stimulator can help you resume the activities you enjoy again, so why wait to learn more? Call the office nearest you to schedule your consultation, or click the provided online booking tool now.