What to Expect Before and During Your Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial 

Living with chronic back pain can disrupt every aspect of your life. The impact can be extensive, from struggling with daily tasks to missing out on cherished moments with loved ones.

Fortunately, advanced treatments can offer hope. One such option is minimally invasive spinal cord stimulation (SCS). SCS involves implanting a device that sends mild electrical currents to the nerves along the spine. 

These electrical pulses disrupt the pain signals before reaching your brain, significantly relieving chronic pain. Before committing to a permanent spinal cord stimulator, a trial period is necessary to ensure the treatment is effective for your specific condition.

At Integrated Spine and Pain Services in Falls Church and Alexandria, Virginia, our board-certified pain management providers team guide you through this process. To help you feel better prepared, here's a brief guide outlining what you can expect before and during your SCS trial.

What conditions does spinal cord stimulation (SCS) treat?

FDA-approved SCS is especially beneficial for people who’ve had chronic pain for three months or longer and have not found relief through other treatments. Common conditions treated with SCS include:

• General chronic back pain
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Failed back syndrome
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Phantom limb pain
• Post laminectomy syndrome
• Arachnoiditis

Before proceeding with an SCS trial, your Integrated Spine and Pain Services provider thoroughly evaluates your medical history, previous treatments, and current symptoms. This comprehensive assessment ensures that SCS is a good option for pain management.

What happens before my SCS trial?

Being prepared is key to a successful spinal cord stimulation trial. Here’s what you can expect to happen before your procedure:

Initial consultation

Your trial begins with an in-depth consultation with your Integrated Spine and Pain Services provider. You'll discuss your pain history, previous treatments, and overall health during this visit. This is also the time to ask questions about the procedure and what to expect.

Pre-procedure instructions

Before your SCS trial, you receive specific instructions regarding medications, diet, and other pre-procedure preparations. Following these guidelines is important to ensure your procedure goes smoothly and safely.

Sedation and anesthesia

On the day of your procedure, you’re given IV sedation and a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. This outpatient procedure is designed to be minimally invasive, allowing you to return home the same day.

What happens during my SCS trial?

The spinal cord stimulation trial is a straightforward process that begins in an outpatient setting and continues in the comfort of your home. 

Here’s a step-by-step overview of what happens during the trial:

Placement of leads 

While you’re under sedation, your provider uses a tiny needle to place two small catheter leads near your spinal cord. This is guided by X-ray imaging to ensure precise placement.

Connection to external device 

Your provider then connects these leads to the external battery and transmitter. This external device sends electrical pulses to the leads near your spinal cord, helping to disrupt pain signals.

Adjusting stimulation 

After the leads are placed and you wake up from sedation, you receive a hand-held controller. This device allows you to adjust the stimulation level to find the most effective setting for pain relief.

Trial period

You'll use the temporary spinal cord stimulator for about a week. During this time, you can go about your normal daily activities while tracking the stimulation settings and noting any changes in your pain levels.

How are my SCS trial results evaluated?

At the end of the trial period, you'll have a follow-up appointment to discuss your experience with your Integrated Spine and Pain Services provider, and they'll review the pain relief you experienced during the trial. 

A successful SCS trial

The SCS trial is typically considered successful if you experience at least a 50% reduction in pain. 

If the trial is successful, the next step is to schedule the procedure for a permanent spinal cord stimulator (SCS). The permanent SCS device is implanted under the skin and connected to the leads placed during the trial.

When SCS isn’t for you

Every patient's pain experience is unique, which is why a personalized approach is essential. Integrated Spine and Pain Services is committed to providing personalized pain management solutions that meet your specific needs.

If the trial does not significantly relieve pain, your provider will discuss alternative treatments. These may include kyphoplasty, medial branch blocks, selective nerve root blocks, joint or transforaminal epidural injections, and radiofrequency nerve ablation.

Are you ready to explore spinal cord stimulation, or do you need more information about your pain management options? Today, schedule a consultation at Integrated Spine and Pain Services in Falls Church or Alexandria, Virginia.