Chronic pain can have a significant impact on your quality of life, especially if you’ve tried various treatments with no success. However, cutting-edge medical technology can help you manage pain more effectively, and a spinal cord stimulator could be the solution you need in Anderson.

By using electrical impulses to stimulate the spinal cord, a spinal cord stimulator can disrupt the communication cycle between the pain nerves running from your spinal cord to your brain, effectively stopping pain signals. This implantable device can provide long-term pain relief and improve your overall quality of life, while also reducing your need for pain medication.

At Injury Medicine, we offer advanced pain care and management in Anderson to help you address various conditions that cause pain in your body. We believe that a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) could provide an effective solution when other treatments and therapy options have failed.

If you’re interested in learning more about spinal cord stimulators in Anderson, SC, call us today at 864-866-PAIN.

What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator, and How Does it Work?

The human body consists of an extensive network of nerves in constant communication with the brain. These nerves are responsible for signaling the brain when you experience pain and other physical sensations. Chronic pain can be unbearable, as it can impact your quality of life.

Spinal cord stimulators are unique implants that include thin wires (electrodes) and a small battery pack. These devices are designed to manage and treat chronic pain. During the implantation procedure, a surgeon places the SCS electrodes between the spinal cord and the epidural space of the vertebrae in your back.

The battery pack that powers the stimulator is implanted under the skin. Once the SCS is in place, you are provided with a remote control that enables you to intercept the electrical pain impulses nerves send to the brain, giving you complete control over how you deal with pain.

What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator Used for?

Although experts in medical technology advancements are yet to fully understand how spinal cord stimulators work, they know that these devices can target different muscle groups or alter how the brain perceives pain, all of which is modified directly from the spine. The spinal cord stimulator changes the pain sensation with a light tingle that some people may not even feel. Despite being relatively new technology, spinal cord stimulators can be a valuable tool in managing chronic pain.

If you’ve undergone nonsurgical treatments that have not provided pain relief, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be a viable pain care and management solution. At Injury Medicine, our highly trained and experienced surgeons and physicians can recommend this technology to treat various chronic pain conditions, such as:

• Post-surgical pain
• Chronic back pain
• Angina (heart pain that cannot be treated using other options)
• Amputation pain
• Nerve-related pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Chronic headaches linked to arachnoiditis
• Visceral abdominal pain and perineal pain
• Peripheral vascular disease

We believe that spinal cord stimulation can significantly improve your quality of life if you’re struggling with chronic pain. It can reduce your dependence on pain medication and even help you sleep better. We recommend coupling this treatment option with comprehensive therapy sessions and relaxation techniques to achieve a holistic solution to your medical condition.

Who Should Get Spinal Cord Stimulator Treatment?

If you’re considering a spinal cord stimulator in Anderson, South Carolina, our doctors will conduct an examination to determine whether spinal cord stimulation is the right treatment option for you.

Our experienced pain specialists will rely on data from psychological screenings, imaging tests, and other exams to make this recommendation. We’ll also guide you through the procedure, explain the benefits, the possible changes to expect, and the cost implications.

At Injury Medicine, we understand that each patient is unique, and not everyone may qualify for SCS treatment. Typically, patients who can benefit from SCS are those who:

• Have not experienced relief from chronic pain, even after undergoing less invasive surgeries or therapy treatments for their condition.
• Do not have psychiatric disorders that can lower the effectiveness of the procedure.

Please note that if you don’t qualify for spinal cord stimulator treatment, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Our pain specialists will consider all other factors to help develop a personalized pain care and management program that can improve your quality of life.

Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator Safe to Use?

While much is still unknown about spinal cord stimulation, it is a rapidly evolving medical technology. Limited studies suggest that it is an effective pain relief solution for many patients. Spinal cord stimulation has proven to be particularly effective in treating complex regional pain syndrome, post-surgical pain, and nerve-related pain disorders.

If you’ve undergone procedures to manage or alleviate pain but have seen little to no improvement, a spinal cord stimulator may be an option worth considering. Contact us at 864-866-PAIN to schedule an appointment with our pain care specialists and learn more about the benefits and potential drawbacks of the SCS procedure.

What Are Risks Associated With a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

All medical procedures carry some level of risk, including spinal cord stimulation treatment. However, the risks associated with this treatment are uncommon. At Injury Medicine, our highly trained physicians are dedicated to adhering to our professional code of ethics and recognized medical protocols. We will thoroughly explain the possible risks of spinal cord stimulation treatment to you.

Although we have seen different people experience significant improvements in their pain symptoms and overall quality of life, we know every patient’s case is different. While spinal cord stimulation treatment carries some risks, they are rare. These risks include bleeding, possible infection within two to eight weeks after the surgery, implant migration causing inefficacy in pain blocking, damage to the SCS device from falls or intense activities, spinal cord trauma from nerve injury (an exceptionally rare occurrence), and dural puncture causing cerebrospinal fluid leakage and severe headaches.

It is important to note that the benefits of spinal cord stimulation treatment outweigh the risks. The benefits include significant improvement in chronic pain, reduced reliance on pain medications, adjustability to accommodate daily activities, an improved ability to enjoy everyday activities, and a reversible treatment option.

Find Relief With a Spinal Cord Stimulator in Anderson!