Spinal Cord Stimulation

1. Spinal Cord Stimulation Spinal cord and brain are part of the nervous system. In order to understand the working of the spinal cord stimulators and their effect on back pain, the working of the nervous system can help us to a large extent. Electrical currents sent into the spinal cord interrupt the pain signals much before they can reach the brain; this reduces the symptoms and the effect of the back pain. The spinal cord stimulation method has a large effect on the back pain and its reduction of the same. Comparing the Types of Stimulation Spinal cord stimulation is a technique which is very specific patient based. There are many methods which offer this technique, every one of it having its advantages and disadvantages. Which will work for one, can only be decided, once the patient is properly examined and diagnosed by the treating doctor. Tonic Spinal Cord Stimulation This is the longest used method of spinal cord stimulation. Also referred to as the low frequency spinal cord stimulation. Here, lower frequency impulses of the strength of less than 1000 Hz are given to the patient. This makes the patient feel a slight tingling or a special vibration sensation, which changes the sensation of strong back pain to very slight tingling sensation. The stimulation electrodes placed into the spinal canal will stimulate spinal cord pathways, reducing the activity within separate pain pathways which carry pain signals up to the brain. High Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation This is a more new form of spinal cord stimulation which involves high frequency electrical impulses of the frequency of 10,000 Hz. The electrodes placed into the spinal canal directly stop or inhibit the pain pathways, making them unable to carry pain signals to the brain.

2. Best Spine Hospital in Nigeria | Best Hospital in Nigeria This is the most effective methods of the spinal cord stimulation, nevertheless the patients get more comfortable in responding to tonic or burst techniques of spinal cord stimulation. An important part of how spinal cord stimulators can help your back pain is that they allow for trial periods. If one type of stimulation doesn’t provide effective results, you can try another. Burst Stimulation This technique is the most recent form of spinal cord stimulation which is performed by giving intermittent bursts of high frequency impulses to the patient who is experiencing the back pain. The stimulation electrodes work with a two way solution, not only do they inhibit the pain from reaching the brain but it also reduces the emotional effects of the pain on the individual. The result is that patients typically feel less or no pain. If pain still exists, patients often report it as much less severe than their typical experience. What to Expect? The first step in spinal cord stimulation treatment is to place the stimulator. Both the trial and the permanent implantation involve outpatient procedures that may be performed either awake or asleep, depending on the type of stimulation that is being used. Your surgeon will use an X-ray to visualize your spine and guide wires with small electrodes to the area where the pain is located. After that, they will activate the generator and you will work

3. together to decide where exactly the electrodes should be placed. Your feedback during this stage may be important (depending on the waveform being used) — make sure that you tell your surgeon where you feel the stimulation so that they can place them accurately. Once you and your surgeon have settled on the right place for the electrodes, the trial stimulator will be left in place. Immediately after the operation, the electrodes in your spine will be connected to an external generator, where they will stay for about a week. To determine whether the treatment is working properly, your surgeon will ask that you record your pain levels at different times of the day and in different situations. If, after your trial period, you aren’t satisfied with the results, you can easily redo the procedure using a different waveform. Once you identify a waveform that is working well, you will return to your surgeon to have a permanent spinal cord system implanted. This procedure, like the electrode placement procedure, is relatively simple and done on an outpatient basis. Final Thoughts Spinal cord stimulationis an effective way to address back pain that hasn’t responded well to other forms of treatment, and it comes with a high level of flexibility. Take the next step toward a more active and comfortable lifestyle and schedule a consultation today. Original Source: https://goo.gl/tEb6Eb