When Spinal Cord Stimulation Might Be Right for You?
If you suffer from chronic neuropathic pain, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may provide relief when other treatments have failed. The Chicago Institute for Neuropathic Pain specializes in using advanced SCS therapies to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Read on to learn if you might benefit from spinal cord stimulation.
What is Neuropathic Pain?
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system rather than actual tissue damage. It can feel like burning, shooting, stabbing pain and is often severe and debilitating. Common causes include:
Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
Shingles (postherpetic neuralgia)
Spinal injuries
Surgeries that cause nerve damage
For many sufferers, medications provide little relief from this type of chronic pain. When oral medications, injections, physical therapy, acupuncture, and other treatments don’t work, spinal cord stimulation may help.
What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation uses a small device to deliver low-voltage electrical signals to the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals. A wire connects the power source to leads that stimulate certain nerves. The stimulation does not eliminate the source of pain but rather intercepts the pain signals headed to the brain.
This neuromodulation changes how the nervous system perceives and responds to pain by calming excess nerve activity. Patients experience a pleasant tingling sensation instead of pain. The level of stimulation can be adjusted via a remote control.
When is Spinal Cord Stimulation Appropriate?
The Chicago Institute for Neuropathic Pain offers SCS for chronic nerve pain in the limbs, back, buttocks, and lower abdomen when:
Pain has persisted for over six months
Pain is severe enough to disrupt sleep, work and other activities
Medications and other therapies have not provided sufficient relief
SCS can treat pain resulting from:
Failed back surgery syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome
Peripheral neuropathy
Painful diabetic neuropathy
Phantom limb pain
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
SCS may also augment the benefits of physical therapy and other treatments.
What to Expect with Spinal Cord Stimulation
Our caring Chicago Institute for Neuropathic Pain team will:
Thoroughly evaluate if SCS is the right choice for your specific pain condition.
Implant one or more small wire leads with electrodes that deliver electrical pulses to your spinal cord. This requires a minor surgery.
Activate the stimulator and work with you to program the settings to maximize pain relief.
Adjust settings as needed to maintain optimal pain control over both the short- and long-term.
Provide supportive aftercare and resources. Most patients experience greatly reduced pain, better function, and improved overall wellness with SCS.
Remove or replace the device if needed down the road.
Could Spinal Cord Stimulation Help Your Neuropathic Pain?
Debilitating chronic neuropathic pain prevents you from participating in activities you love and enjoy. The compassionate doctors at the Chicago Institute for Neuropathic Pain are intricately trained neurostimulation specialists dedicated to freeing patients from nerve pain’s disabling effects.