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What is a spinal cord stimulator?

A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that sends mild electrical signals directly into the spinal cord to relieve pain.

Spinal cord stimulators were first used in 1967 and approved by the Food and Drug Administration as pain relievers in 1989. About 14,000 spinal cord stimulators are done each year.

How does it work?

A spinal cord stimulator consists of thin wires called electrodes and a pacemaker-like battery pack called the generator. The electrodes are placed between the spinal cord and the vertebrae while the generator is placed under the skin.

When a person feels pain, he/she can send electrical impulses using a remote control (the remote control and the antennae are outside the body).

Spinal cord stimulators don’t truly stop the pain, but the electrical signals they send mask the pain signals before they reach the brain. It’s more like alteration of the perception of pain, rather than curing or healing it.

Are there risks associated with a spinal cord stimulator?
As with other surgical procedures, there are risks involved in implanted devices such as a spinal cord stimulator. This includes:

Allergic reaction to the materials the implant is made of

– Spinal fluid leaking
– Pain at the implant site
– Local skin irritation

Who can benefit from this device?

You may benefit from it if you haven’t experienced significant pain relief from medications, less-invasive therapies, or surgeries. During your initial consultation, your doctor may recommend you for a psychiatric examination to make sure you don’t have psychiatric disorders that may interfere with the effectiveness of the device.

If you want to find out if a spinal cord stimulator can benefit you, you can talk to one of our specialists at Ozark Orthopaedics.

You may get more information on the Vertiflex Procedure here: English  |  Spanish