What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a form of neuromodulation for chronic pain that has not responded to other treatments - including pain that continues after back surgery, known as failed back surgery syndrome. A small device delivers gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord through thin leads placed in the epidural space. These pulses change the way pain signals reach the brain, so that persistent back or leg pain can feel less intense. You control the device with a handheld remote.
It does not repair a disc, a nerve, or a previous operation. Instead, it aims to make long-standing pain more manageable and to improve day-to-day function, sometimes reducing the need for pain medication. Because it is an implanted therapy, we consider it carefully and only after less invasive options have been explored.
What happens during the procedure - the trial first
A defining feature of SCS is the trial before permanent implantation. Thin leads are placed under image guidance and connected to an external battery for a defined trial period. You record changes in pain, function and medication use. The team reviews these results with you before deciding whether a permanent implant is appropriate. If not, the temporary leads are removed.
Benefits and considerations
The trial provides individual information before a permanent device is considered. SCS does not cure the underlying condition, and results vary. Risks include infection, bleeding, lead movement or breakage, device problems, unwanted stimulation and the need for revision or removal. Settings can be adjusted during follow-up.
What to expect afterwards
After the trial, the leads are removed and the recorded response is reviewed. If you proceed to implantation, your team will give you individual instructions for wound care, medication, movement, driving and work, and will review the device programming over time.
How we approach your care
- 01
Find the true source
We begin with a thorough history and examination, supported by imaging where appropriate, to pinpoint the precise source of the problem.
- 02
Consider appropriate options
Where clinically appropriate, we consider established non-surgical options before surgery. The plan depends on the diagnosis, symptoms, health and priorities of the individual patient.
- 03
A plan built around you
Every step is explained clearly, so you always understand your options and what comes next.
This may help if
- You have chronic back or leg pain that persists despite surgery or other treatments
- Nerve-related (neuropathic) pain is a major part of your symptoms
- Injections, medication, and rehabilitation have not given lasting relief
- You are willing to try a temporary trial before committing to a permanent device
Suitability can only be assessed after reviewing your symptoms, examination, relevant imaging and previous treatment.
Common questions
What is a spinal cord stimulator?
It is a small implanted device that delivers gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord through thin leads. Those pulses change the way pain signals reach the brain, so persistent back or leg pain can feel less intense. You control the stimulation yourself with a handheld remote.
Why is there a trial before a permanent implant?
The trial lets you experience the therapy before committing to it. Thin leads are placed and you live with the stimulation for about a week. Only if it gives you worthwhile relief - a clear, meaningful reduction in pain - would a permanent system be recommended. If not, nothing permanent is placed.
What happens during the trial phase?
Under image guidance, thin leads are placed through a needle, with no incision, and connected to a small battery worn outside the body. You go about your normal routine for roughly a week and judge how much the stimulation helps your usual pain, which guides the decision on whether to proceed.
What does the permanent implant involve?
If the trial supports proceeding, leads and a pulse generator are placed under the skin. Discharge and activity guidance depend on the procedure and your response. The team then adjusts the settings with you during follow-up.
Does it cure the cause of my pain?
No. Spinal cord stimulation does not repair a disc, a nerve, or a previous operation. It manages the pain signals themselves, aiming to make long-standing pain more manageable, improve day-to-day function, and sometimes reduce the need for pain medication. Results vary from person to person.
Is it reversible?
The trial is fully reversible - the leads are simply removed if it does not help enough. A permanent device can be adjusted over time and, if needed, removed. As with any implanted device it carries some risk, which your surgeon will discuss with you fully before you decide.