Spinal cord stimulation is a remedy that disguises pain signals before they reach the brain. It is a method used to apply pulsed electrical signals to the spinal cord to treat chronic pain, but can also be used to switch spinal spasticity.
A small percentage of patients suffer chronic pain which does to respond to simpler interventions. It is this group which requires advanced pain therapy which requires implantation of device called as Neuromodulator to provide ongoing and effective pain relief. It is also brings about modulation of perception of pain and significantly improves quality of life.
The two categories are:-
Electrical [Spinal cord stimulation] and
Chemical [Intrathecal pump] neuromodulator.
Spinal cord stimulation is the most common mode of electrical neuromodulation used in managing chronic intractable low back and leg pain. It is also used to control intractable neck and arm pain. This modality has been increasingly used over the past two decades with more refined and improved hardware technology. It is minimally invasive and reversible as opposed to nerve ablation. The implantation is preceded by a trial during which the patient can experience the degree of relief the system is likely to offer. Once fully convinced the second stage of permanent implantation is performed.
Our center has the largest experience in offering this therapy with comprehensive approach and we have done this for various indications over the past 12 years. There is stringent selection criteria followed at our center to ensure the best outcome.
Use of spinal cord stimulation involves thorough understanding of the system by the patient. Spinal cord stimulation uses a pulse generator which is a small implanted device that generates low-level electrical impulses that stimulate targeted nerves along the spinal cord. This stimulation interferes with the transmission of pain signals to the brain.