Page 44 - PCH Magazine Issue Jan export v3

WHA T IS A SPINAL CORD STIMUL A TOR

Did you know that low levels of electricity can
D i d y o u k n o w t h a t l o w l e v e l s o f e l e c t r i c i t y c a n is battery powered and not rechargable. When the
prevent you from feeling pain in your
p r e v e n t y o u f r o m f e e l i n g p a i n i n y o u r battery runs out another surgery must take place
back ?
b ac k ? to replace the old battery. This device is good for
A spinal cord stimulator is a device that gets people who have pain in only one part of their
surgically implanted to help relieve some of the body. This device has a lower energy output.

pain you feel. this device is a is a great option for The next kind of SCS device is a Rechargeable
people with chronic back pain. IPG. Much like the conventional IPG this device
A spinal cord stimulator consists of 3 is surgically implanted. The main difference

main parts the generator (similar
to a battery pacemaker), thin
lead wires, and the remote. The
pacemaker is typically placed in
your lower back just under the
skin. This is the main component

of the device and the power source.
Thin lead wires are then placed in
the epidural space between your
spine. The placement of the wires

determines where the pain will be
blocked from. This step is crucial
to pinpoint exactly where the pain
is inorder to properly relieve it. The
end of these wires send out electric
waves to block your pain receptors

from receiving pain. Finally, the
remote allows you to control when
you like to receive these pulses and
how strong you want them to be.

Traditional spinal cord stimulators block is that this devices battery can be recharged.
out the pain with a light tingling sensation. This This stimulator also has a higher energy output.
sensation is also referred to as paresthesia. Some Typically this device is used for people who have
people feel uncomfortable with paresthesia and pain in there lower back or in their legs.
may request a device that offers sub perception The third type of stimulator is a RadioFrequency
(sub-P) stimulation. Sub-P is a type of stimulation stimulator. This device uses a battery that is

that cannot be felt. Sub-P stimulation requires a outside of the body unlike the other IPGs. It has
higher frequency of 10 kHz. the option for rechargable batteries. This device
There are three main types of Spinal is good for people with lower back and leg pain.
cord Stimulators. The first is the conventional However, this option is rarely used.

implantable pulse generator (IPG). This stimulator SCS is most commonly used for post-