Who is a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator implant?
Spinal cord stimulator implants are most effective when a patient is suffering from neuropathy pain. This is pain that results from damage to parts of the nervous system including nerves, spinal cord, and/or brain. The pain is usually described as electric, shooting or burning. Examples of this type of pain include: sciatic nerve pain, back or leg pain after back surgery, neck or arm pain after cervical spine surgery, shingles virus, diabetic nerve pain (burning pain in the legs with diabetes), phantom pain after amputation, and a pain problem called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome). There are several conditions that would not allow you to be considered for the spinal cord stimulator. These include but are not limited to: • Pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators • Blood thinners that are unable to be discontinued for a short period of time • Active infection • Significant psychological problems • Failure of initial stimulator trial How do I kno
