How Does A Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial Work?
Prior to receiving a final spinal cord stimulator implant, the patient needs to receive a spinal cord stimulator trial. The trial can tell the physician if the patient will potentially do well with the final implant. The typical rule of thumb is if the patient receives 50% or greater pain relief with the SCS trial, then the final implant is indicated. The SCS trial is done in as an outpatient by a physician trained in such procedures. The patient receives IV sedation but cannot be knocked out fully as the physician needs input from the patient during the procedure. The patient is placed face down on a procedure table that allows x-rays to go through it (radiolucent). The procedure is performed with a fluoroscope (real time x-ray machine). The skin and soft tissues down to the spine are numbed fully and then a guide needle is placed through the anesthetized track. Through the guide needle, the spinal cord stimulator trial catheter is fed and goes into the epidural space, which is the ar
