A spinal cord stimulator is a device designed to manage chronic back pain by delivering low-grade electrical pulses to your spinal cord. It works by interrupting pain signals before they reach your brain, and the treatment can provide effective relief for conditions like failed back surgery syndrome, nerve damage, or other persistent pain disorders.
If you’ve tried more conservative treatments without success, spinal cord stimulation might be a good option for you — but it’s normal to have questions. Eric Fanaee, MD, specializes in spinal cord stimulators in Bethpage, Smithtown, and West Islip, New York.
We start with a spinal cord stimulator trial to determine if it’s a good fit for your needs, and here’s what you can expect to happen during and after the trial period.
Spinal cord stimulation can be incredibly effective, but individuals and their pain are unique. About half of people who get spinal cord stimulators experience at least a 50% reduction in pain, but for others, the treatment isn’t as effective.
A spinal cord stimulator trial allows you and Dr. Fanaee to evaluate whether spinal cord stimulation successfully reduces your pain and improves your quality of life. It gives you the opportunity to experience the effects of spinal cord stimulation without committing to a permanent implant right away, and it’s an essential step in treatment.
Your trial starts with a minimally invasive procedure using local anesthesia. Dr. Fanaee inserts thin wires, called leads, into the epidural space in your spine.
These leads connect to an external stimulator that you wear outside your body and use to adjust the electrical pulses and test various settings for optimal pain relief. There’s no downtime required, and we teach you how to use the device before you go home.
Most spinal cord stimulator trials last about a week. During your trial, you keep a log of your pain levels and daily activities to track how well the device is working to address your back pain. You can explore different settings to learn if and how the stimulator provides the best relief for you.
At the end of your spinal cord stimulator trial, you meet with Dr. Fanaee to review your experience. In general, we consider spinal cord stimulation successful if you experience more than 50% improvement in your pain.
If the device provided significant pain relief and improved your ability to perform daily tasks, Dr. Fanaee may recommend moving forward with a permanent spinal cord stimulator. However, if the trial didn’t yield the desired results, he can discuss alternative treatments tailored to your needs.
A permanent spinal cord stimulator works similarly to the trial device, but it’s fully contained within your body and offers long-term pain management. The permanent system gives you continued control over your therapy with a handheld programmer.
If the stimulator trial didn’t do enough to address your pain, Dr. Fanaee works with you to explore other pain management options. Options may include physical therapy, medication, other pain management therapies, or even minimally invasive surgery, depending on your specific needs.
Are you curious about the benefits of spinal cord stimulation? A trial is an essential step to finding out if it’s an effective solution for your pain. Call us at 631-265-2020 or book an appointment online to learn more.
