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How does spinal cord stimulation relieve my pain?

Spinal cord stimulators use a mild electrical impulse to change the activity of nerves in your spine. This treatment, called neuromodulation, masks or blocks the signals being relayed to your brain. When a pain signal doesn’t reach your brain, you may feel reduced or dampened pain.

What Conditions Can Spinal Cord Stimulation Treat?

Dr. Rispoli may recommend spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain conditions, including:

Radicular pain (sciatica)

Herniated disc pain

Arachnoiditis

Spinal stenosis

Failed back surgery syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Certain types of chronic pelvic pain

Spinal cord stimulation may also help patients with pain related to peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease.

How Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator Implanted?

A spinal cord stimulator includes a pulse generator, flexible wires with leads, and a remote controller. Dr. Rispoli implants the generator under the skin of your abdomen, upper chest, or buttocks, selecting the most suitable area for comfort.

Using fluoroscopy for guidance, she carefully threads the wires along your spine, positioning the leads near the nerves responsible for pain transmission. This precise placement helps to effectively block pain signals.

Once positioned, Dr. Rispoli programs the generator with the remote, adjusting the frequency and intensity of electrical impulses to optimize pain relief.

How Will I Know Whether Spinal Cord Stimulation Can Help Me?

You’ll go through a trial to determine whether the spinal cord stimulator relieves your pain. Dr. Rispoli places the wires along your spine, but you’ll wear the pulse generator around your waist. After about a week, you can decide whether you want to have the pulse generator implanted or have the wires removed.

Am I a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation?

You may be a good candidate for a spinal cord stimulator if you meet the following criteria:

You have debilitating pain that has lasted at least three months

Conservative treatments have failed

Additional surgery isn’t recommended, or you don’t want surgery

You don’t have medical conditions that would interfere with the implantation surgery

You had a successful trial period

Dr. Rispoli evaluates these factors together with your overall health to determine whether you’re a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation.

Your Wellness, Our Commitment

Receive exceptional care with personalized attention and expert medical support. From pain management to advanced treatments, Dr. Leia Rispoli and her team are here to help you live pain-free. Schedule your visit today.