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Spinal Cord Stimulators

Spinal Cord Stimulators. Ryan Rahhal, M.D. Neurosurgery Specialists. Spinal Cord Stimulators. What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator? When is it used? - type of patient Procedure and Trial Risks Outcomes. What is it?. Device using electrical current to treat chronic pain

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Spinal Cord Stimulators

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  1. Spinal Cord Stimulators Ryan Rahhal, M.D. Neurosurgery Specialists

  2. Spinal Cord Stimulators • What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator? • When is it used? - type of patient • Procedure and Trial • Risks • Outcomes

  3. What is it? • Device using electrical current to treat chronic pain • Implanted spinal cord stimulator sends electrical pulses to the spinal cord • These pulses interfere with the body’s pain signals

  4. What is it? • Consists of the following: • pulse generator with it’s remote controls • Stimulating electrodes • Conducting wires- These connect the electrodes to the generator

  5. When is it used? • From a neurosurgery standpoint, these are used to treat chronic back pain in patients who have failed other treatment • Patients must have: • failed conservative treatment • Be amenable to the stimulator • Not have any underlying psychological issues.

  6. When is it used? • Nerve related pain • Complex regional pain syndrome • Failed back surgery • There are other studies being done to investigate other uses, such as in treatment of Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis

  7. Procedure/Trial • Outpatient procedure usually involving a neurosurgeon for the lead placement along with a pain management physician • Using local anesthetic and sedative, a trial stimulator is inserted for a ‘test’ • This is only temporary and will last approximately 5-7 days

  8. Procedure/Trial • If the trial is a success, a permanent stimulator is implanted in the abdomen under the skin and the leads/wires are inserted under the skin into the spinal canal • The placement of the stimulator depends on the area of pain • The stimulator then must be programmed by selecting the electrode stimulating configuration and adjusting the amplitude, width and frequency of the electrical pulses

  9. Procedure/Trial

  10. Risks • Scar tissue around the electrode • Fracture or breakage of an electrode • Infection • Leakage of spinal fluid • Headache • Bladder issues

  11. Outcomes • Research is still conducting various studies on the effectiveness • Some have reported more than half of patient participants receiving spinal cord stimulation for chronic low back and leg pain experience relief and some report as many as 70% of patients reporting relief

  12. Outcomes • The effectiveness can decline as the body becomes tolerant to the treatment • The stimulator batteries are usually replaced every 2-5 years

  13. Patient Stories • Pending…

  14. Questions?

  15. Thank you Ryan Rahhal, M.D. Neurosurgery Specialists

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