Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial & Implant
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) treats chronic nerve pain by delivering gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord, changing how pain signals reach the brain. It is used for persistent leg or arm pain after spine surgery, complex regional pain syndrome, painful diabetic neuropathy, and other nerve pain that has not responded to medication or injections.
The unique advantage is that you try it first. A temporary trial with leads placed through a needle lets you live with the system for about a week. Only if it clearly helps does Dr. Daggubati implant a permanent generator under the skin.
Who it is for
- Persistent nerve pain after spine surgery
- Chronic radiculopathy not amenable to further surgery
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- A successful trial with at least 50% pain relief
Why we use it
- A trial before commitment
- Reversible and adjustable
- Reduces reliance on opioids
- MRI-conditional modern systems
- Rechargeable or long-life non-rechargeable options
How the procedure is done
- Trial: with sedation and local anesthetic, thin leads are placed in the epidural space through a needle and connected to an external device for 5–7 days.
- You track pain, sleep, activity and medication use during the trial.
- Implant: if the trial succeeds, leads (percutaneous or a small paddle lead) are secured and connected to a generator placed in a pocket under the skin of the flank or buttock.
- The system is programmed and adjusted over follow-up visits.
Recovery
Implant is an outpatient procedure. Avoid bending, twisting and lifting for six weeks so the leads settle in place. Most patients return to light activity within a week.
Risks, stated plainly
Lead migration, infection, spinal fluid leak, hardware discomfort, loss of effect over time requiring reprogramming or revision. Dr. Daggubati reviews the specific risks for your situation in person before any decision is made.
Preparing for this surgery
Dr. Daggubati has written detailed guides for this procedure covering medications to stop, prehabilitation, the day of surgery, and a week-by-week recovery timeline.
Common questions
Will I feel the stimulation?
Traditional systems produce a mild tingling in the painful area; newer high-frequency and burst systems are paresthesia-free. Both are available and selected based on your response in the trial.