Spinal Cord Stimulator Specialist

What is a spinal cord stimulator?

A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device that blocks pain signals traveling through the spinal cord. This type of treatment, called neuromodulation, uses a mild electrical pulse to alter the nerve signals and stop your brain from getting the pain message. Spinal cord stimulation can also help improve motor symptoms in patients with movement disorders.

What pain conditions improve using a spinal cord stimulator?

Spinal cord stimulation is often used for leg, arm, and back pain. However, it can relieve pain that originates anywhere in your body because it targets the spinal cord. All of the pain messages picked up by sensory nerves throughout your body must go through the spinal cord to reach your brain. 

The team at Neurosurgical Solutions may recommend spinal cord stimulation for conditions such as:

• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Cancer pain
• Joint pain
• Neuropathy
• Arthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Chronic leg pain or arm pain
• Peripheral vascular disease

Spinal cord stimulation also relieves ongoing pain after failed back surgery. 

What movement disorders improve using a spinal cord stimulator?

In addition to easing pain, spinal cord stimulation can improve movement in people with Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. In addition to reducing tremors, neuromodulation improves gait, walking speed, balance, and mobility. This treatment may help on its own or after you have deep brain stimulation. 

How does a spinal cord stimulator work?

Dr. Bishop implants a small pulse generator under your skin, then uses real-time imaging to guide lead wires through the epidural space surrounding your spine. After positioning the leads next to the targeted nerves, he connects the wires to the generator.

For the final step, Dr. Bishop uses a handheld controller to program the pulse sent from the generator. You use the controller to turn the generator on and off as needed. 

How do I know if a spinal cord stimulator will help me?

You go through a trial period to learn how well spinal cord stimulation eases your pain and helps motor symptoms. Though Dr. Bishop must insert the lead wires, you wear the generator instead of having it implanted.

After using the device for a week, you’ll know how much it improves your symptoms. Then you can decide if you want to keep it and have the generator implanted, or you want the lead wires removed.

To learn if you’re a good candidate for a spinal cord stimulator, call Neurosurgical Solutions or request an appointment online today.