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Home  /  Treatments   /  Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial

Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial
Pain Management in Knoxville, TN

Overview

Spinal cord stimulation (also called SCS) uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the back, ams and legs. It is believed that electrical pulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain. The Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in Knoxville, TN pain clinic is performed for people who suffer from neuropathic pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed.

Spinal cord stimulator trial - Knoxville, TN pain managenet clinic
Spinal cord stimulator trial procedure - Knoxville, TN pain managenet clinic

Spinal cord stimulator trial procedure

Screening test implantation

The injection site is anesthetized. One or more insulated wire leads are inserted through an epidural needle or through a small incision into the space surrounding the spinal cord, called the epidural space.

Find the right location

Electrodes at the end of the lead produce electrical pulses that stimulate the nerves, blocking pain signals. The patient gives feedback to help the physician determine where to place the stimulators to best block the patient’s pain. The leads are connected to an external trial stimulator, which will be used for approximately one week to determine if SCS will help the patient.

Determine effectiveness

If the patient and physician determine that the amount of pain relief is acceptable, the system may be permanently implanted. At the end of the trial implantation, the leads are removed.

Permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation

The permanent implantation may be performed while the patient is under sedation or general anesthesia. First, one or more permanent leads are inserted through an epidural needle or small incision into the predetermined location in the epidural space.

Spinal cord stimulator implant recovery - Knoxville, TN
Spinal cord stimulator implantation - Knoxville, TN pain managenet clinic
Spinal cord stimulation - Knoxville, TN pain clinic
SCS trial in Knoxville, TN

Generator implantation

Next, a small incision is created, and the implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery is positioned beneath the skin. It is most often implanted in the buttocks or the abdomen. The leads are then connected to the IPG battery.

End of procedure

The implant’s electrical pulses are programmed with an external wireless programmer. The patient can use the programmer to turn the system on or off, adjust the stimulation power level and switch between different programs.

Spinal cord stimulator implantation recovery

After surgery, patients may experience mild discomfort and swelling at the incision sites for several days.

Spinal cord stimulator trial in Knoxville, TN

The spinal cord stimulator trial offered by Knoxville, TN Omega Pain Management clinic helps people get rid of chronic pain when other treatments fail. Under the supervision of Dr. Igor Smelyansky, MD, patients experience significant relief right after this procedure.

A small device that is implanted near the spinal cord delivers electrical impulses that interfere with pain signals, providing a significant reduction in pain. Contact Dr. Smelyansky at (865) 337-5137 today to make an appointment and learn more about the advantages of spinal cord stimulation.