Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation produces greater than 50% pain reduction in most appropriately selected patients. Spinal cord stimulators are implanted devices that deliver continuous electrical current to the spinal cord, disrupting the ascending pain signal before it reaches the brain. Implantation requires a trial period with an externalized version of the system before permanent placement, to confirm the patient responds. Surgical infection at the implant site is a known risk of spinal cord stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation is reserved for patients who have already failed pharmacotherapy and other conservative treatments.