Spinal Cord Stimulator OKC
If you suffer from chronic pain, there are multiple treatment options available. One option is called a spinal cord stimulator. At Oklahoma Pain Doc, we understand that everyone’s pain is slightly different, and that is why we will work with you, customizing your treatment options to meet your needs. What do you need to know about spinal cord stimulator implantation, and how can you figure out if this is the right treatment option for your pain? Get a better understanding of how a spinal cord stimulator works, how it is implanted, and what the spinal cord stimulator recovery process is like. Thereafter, give us a call to schedule an appointment.
What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
An electric spinal cord stimulator consists of a battery pack and thin wires to help you address chronic pain. Then, there are electrodes inserted between the spinal cord and vertebrae. The battery pack is placed just under the skin, usually somewhere in your low back/hip.
Using a spinal cord stimulator, you can send electrical impulses from the battery pack through the electrodes. These impulses can help you control chronic pain using a remote control placed outside the body. OK Pain Doc will be delighted to demonstrate how this treatment option works, so please call today for an appointment here in OKC.
What Does a Spinal Cord Stimulator Treat?
There are numerous conditions that we can treat using a spinal cord stimulator. Some of the most common examples include:
- When your back pain fails to respond to other treatment options, a spinal cord stimulator could help you.
- A spinal cord stimulator could be the best treatment option if you have stiffness and soreness following a surgical procedure.
- If you have been diagnosed with a condition called arachnoiditis, a spinal cord stimulator could be helpful.
- The spinal cord stimulator may help you if you’ve injured your spinal cord; learn more about how a spinal cord stimulator could help you.
Clearly, there are a lot of conditions that may respond to a spinal cord stimulator. Every type of chronic pain differs, so we suggest scheduling an appointment with one of our pain specialists. We can help you find the right treatment option based on your needs.
What Is the Spinal Cord Stimulator Procedure Like?
Typically, the placement of a spinal cord stimulator is divided into two separate procedures. The first procedure is a trial of a spinal cord stimulator. Working with our team, we will place a temporary device underneath your skin. We will place it using fluoroscopy, which is a specific type of X-ray. We will insert the electrodes into the epidural space at the spine, and we will give you an opportunity to test it out. We will ask for your feedback during the procedure, as we want to find the best location for the electrodes.
The overall trial will take place within a few days to a week. It will be up to you to decide its success, but we will guide you along the journey. Upon your interest, we will put the generator underneath the skin if you choose to go forward with the permanent placement. Then, we will replace the trial electrodes with permanent electrodes. We will anchor the electrodes in place of sutures, minimizing their movement. You should expect the implantation process to take approximately two hours, and you do not have to spend the night in the hospital after the procedure.
What Is the Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Recovery Process Like?
After the local anesthesia wears off, you may experience some stiffness or soreness for a few days. We encourage you not to stretch or twist your body, as it could pull the incisions. The incision should heal a few weeks after the surgery, and we will explain the recovery process to you. We may recommend you with fewer lighter activities for a couple of weeks after surgery. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to ensure your recovery is as expected. Finally, once you have finished the recovery process, we will give you the green light to return to your daily routine. This is typically 2 weeks after surgery.
Contact Oklahoma Pain Doc To Schedule an Appointment For Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants in OKC
This is just a brief overview of what spinal cord stimulators do, and it is important to be familiar with all the treatment options available to you. At Oklahoma Pain Doc, we consistently prioritize our patients’ needs above our own, and it would be our pleasure to do the same for you. It is our pleasure to work with you to determine whether a spinal cord stimulator is the right treatment option for your needs. We are here to help, so give us a call today, and let us help you manage your pain.
