We have been performing both spinal cord stimulator trials and implants as well as pain pump trials and implants for many years. Adjustments to a pain pump must normally be completed by a qualified medical practitioner. A spinal cord stimulator doesn't use medication like a pain pump. The patient can adjust the level of stimulation using a remote control, which allows them to customize the level of pain relief they receive at different times of the day or during different activities. The electrical impulses stimulate the nerves in the spinal cord, which can help reduce or eliminate the perception of pain. Because the medication delivered by the pain pump is delivered directly to the intrathecal space, it can provide pain relief with lower doses of medication and fewer side effects compared to oral medications, which must be absorbed through the digestive system and distributed throughout the body.Ī spinal cord stimulator delivers electrical impulses to the spinal cord through the leads, which interfere with the pain signals that are traveling up the spinal cord to the brain. The intrathecal space is the space surrounding the spinal cord and the brainstem that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). ![]() A pain pump delivers medication directly to the intrathecal space to manage chronic pain. The method they use to deliver pain relief differs. Please schedule an appointment to discuss your options.Īn intrathecal pain pump, also known as a spinal infusion pain pump and a spinal cord stimulator are both implantable medical devices for long term pain management. We can discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you as well as determine what other pain treatment approaches may be most effective. An experienced specialist can improve catheter placement, reduce the chances of complications, and improve patient comfort both during and after your implant. If you are considering a spinal cord stimulator trial, it is important to have your procedure performed by an experienced specialist. We can help you determine which pain treatment approach is best for you based on your individual needs and medical history.Ī trial is recommended before implanting a permanent SCS device. Both pain pumps and spinal cord stimulators are implantable medical devices but there are key differences in the technology and goals. ![]() Learn more by visiting the links below.Doctor Choudhri has over 13 years of experience performing spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trial and implant procedures in Houston and Victoria, TX with leading manufacturers such as Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott Labs. If spinal cord stimulation does not work for the patient the device will be removed and no damage to the spinal cord or nerves will have occurred.Īdvanced Diagnostic Pain Treatment Center uses spinal stimulation devices from the following companies. Not everyone is a candidate for spinal cord stimulation and some people may find the sensations unpleasant. 7-Day Trial StimulationĪ trial stimulation of seven days is conducted prior to a permanent implant to ensure the patient is experiencing pain reduction and is comfortable with the device. Even a small amount of pain reduction can be significant if it allows the patient to return to normal activities, reduce medication, exercise, or participate in physical therapy. The goal for this therapy is to reduce pain by 50-70%. All devices include three basic parts: a pulse generator that creates the electrical pulses, a lead wire with electrodes that delivers the pulses, and a small remote that controls the settings for the device. There are different types of spinal cord stimulation devices and the doctor will discuss the best option for each patient after a thorough evaluation. Individual pain reduction varies because while the pulses interfere with the signal to the brain, the source of pain itself is not eliminated. These electrical signals mask or modify the pain signals before they reach the brain and thereby reduce the perception of pain or replace it with a mild tingling sensation called “parasthesia” (some models do not cause this tingling sensation depending on the type of current used). Similar to a cardiac pacemaker, the stimulator is a device that is implanted, or surgically placed under the patient’s skin, with thin wires that deliver mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord. Neurostimulation has shown to provide relief so people can focus on their lives instead of their pain. ![]() Spinal cord stimulators are implants that intercept the pain signal before it reaches the brain, providing relief from chronic back, leg or arm pain.
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