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Newport Beach Spinal Cord Stimulator Treatment
An Implant That Blocks Pain Signals
In spinal cord stimulation, a small implant device is placed near the spinal cord to block pain signals. With this treatment, more than 70% of patients report good to excellent pain relief, depending on underlying conditions.
Learn more about our spinal cord stimulator treatment in Newport Beach.
Contact us at (949) 301-8683.
Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulator Treatment
Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) treatment offers several benefits for individuals dealing with chronic pain, particularly in the back or limbs:
- Pain Relief: SCS provides targeted pain relief by interrupting pain signals to the brain, offering relief from chronic pain conditions.
- Minimally Invasive: The implantation procedure is minimally invasive, reducing recovery time and complications compared to more invasive surgeries.
- Non-Pharmacological: SCS is a non-pharmacological approach, avoiding the potential side effects and dependency issues associated with long-term medication use.
- Customizable Therapy: The device is adjustable, allowing customization of stimulation settings to suit individual pain patterns and preferences.
- Improved Functionality: Many individuals experience improved functional abilities and increased activity levels with reduced pain, enhancing overall quality of life.
- Reduced Medication Dependency: SCS can lead to a reduction in the need for pain medications, addressing concerns related to medication side effects and addiction.
- Reversible Option: If needed, the SCS device can be removed, providing a reversible treatment option.
- Management of Neuropathic Pain: SCS is particularly effective in managing neuropathic pain conditions, such as failed back surgery syndrome or complex regional pain syndrome.
- Enhanced Sleep: By alleviating chronic pain, SCS may contribute to improved sleep quality, positively impacting overall well-being.
While spinal cord stimulator treatment is not suitable for everyone, it can be a valuable option for individuals seeking alternative solutions for chronic pain management. Consultation with our Newport Beach pain management specialist can help determine the appropriateness of spinal cord stimulator treatment based on individual circumstances.
Determining Your Pain Type
Prior to trying the spinal cord stimulator at Regenerative Institute of Newport Beach as a treatment, a careful analysis of the patient’s pain type is essential. First, the patient may undergo a test called an EMG/nerve conduction study. In this procedure, the doctor gently stimulates nerves in order to measure the speed of the body’s nerve signals.
Conditions that respond best to this treatment include:
- Neuropathies – a collection of disorders resulting from damaged nerves
- Post-traumatic neuritis – nerve pain after an injury, surgery, injections, or other medical procedures
- Complex Regional pain syndrome – chronic pain after surgery or injury
- Herpetic neuralgia – pain, headaches, and nerve problems resulting as complications from shingles, a type of syndrome caused by the chicken pox virus
The Implant Procedure
The spinal cord stimulator has two main components: a special catheter and a battery-powered electric pulse generator.
The device is inserted in two stages. The first is the trial phase, generally performed under local anesthesia. This gives the patient the opportunity to try out the device for a week or more and make sure it produces the desired results.
If successful, a permanent device similar to a pacemaker is implanted under the skin, this time using conscious sedation. The patient uses a small external controller device about the size of a cell phone to program and operate the device. Once implanted, the device should start providing pain relief by overriding the painful nerves, allowing you to enjoy a higher quality of life.
Our physician will thoroughly assess your condition before performing spinal cord stimulation. Work one-on-one with the skilled team at Regenerative Institute of Newport Beach
by calling (949) 301-8683.
FAQs
What is spinal cord stimulator treatment and how does it work?
Spinal cord stimulator treatment (SCS) involves the implantation of a small device near the spinal cord, designed to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. The device uses electrical impulses to mask pain signals, providing relief from chronic pain conditions. Patients typically experience a sensation called “paresthesia,” which replaces the pain sensation. This innovative approach has been shown to improve the quality of life for many patients, allowing them to engage in daily activities with greater comfort.
Who is a good candidate for spinal cord stimulator treatment?
Good candidates for spinal cord stimulator treatment include individuals who suffer from chronic pain conditions that have not responded adequately to other treatment options. These conditions may include neuropathies, such as diabetic neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, and post-surgical pain syndromes. Patients should also consider SCS if they are looking for a non-pharmacological pain management option or if they wish to reduce their reliance on pain medications. A comprehensive evaluation by a Newport Beach pain management specialist will determine if SCS is a suitable option based on your medical history, pain type, and overall health.
What are the benefits of spinal cord stimulator treatment?
Spinal cord stimulator treatment offers numerous advantages for individuals dealing with chronic pain, including:
- Targeted pain relief: The device specifically targets pain pathways, providing more focused relief compared to traditional medications.
- Minimally invasive procedure: The implantation procedure is less invasive than many surgical options, resulting in a quicker recovery time and reduced risk of complications.
- pharmacological approach: SCS avoids the potential side effects and dependency issues associated with long-term use of pain medications, making it a safer alternative for many patients.
- Customizable therapy: The device settings can be adjusted based on individual pain levels and patterns, allowing for a tailored pain management experience.
- Improved functionality: Many patients experience enhanced mobility and activity levels as their pain decreases, leading to an overall better quality of life.
- Reduced medication dependency: SCS can often lead to a significant reduction in the need for pain medications, helping to alleviate concerns regarding side effects and addiction.
- Reversible option: If necessary, the spinal cord stimulator can be removed, providing a flexible treatment solution.
- Management of neuropathic pain: This treatment is particularly effective for managing neuropathic pain conditions that can be difficult to treat through other means.Enhance
- d sleep quality: By alleviating chronic pain, SCS can contribute to improved sleep, which is vital for overall health and well-being.
What does the spinal cord stimulator implantation process involve?
The spinal cord stimulator implantation process occurs in two stages. Initially, a trial phase is conducted, typically under local anesthesia. This trial period allows patients to evaluate the device’s effectiveness over one to two weeks. If the trial is successful and provides significant pain relief, a permanent device is implanted. This procedure uses conscious sedation and involves placing the device under the skin, similar to a pacemaker. Patients receive a small external controller that allows them to adjust the device settings to suit their specific pain management needs. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and make any necessary adjustments.
How long does it take to experience pain relief after spinal cord stimulator treatment?
Patients may begin to feel pain relief within days to weeks after the permanent spinal cord stimulator device is implanted. The exact timeline for experiencing relief can vary based on individual factors, including the specific chronic pain condition, overall health, and how well the device settings are optimized. Some patients report significant improvements in pain levels almost immediately, while others may require adjustments and fine-tuning of the device settings over time. Ongoing communication with your Newport Beach pain management specialist will help ensure the treatment remains effective, allowing for timely adjustments as needed.
