Pain that is uncontrolled and ongoing can have a detrimental effect on nearly all areas of your life. Besides the physical discomfort it brings, chronic pain produces mental health problems such as anxiety and emotional distress. In addition, it undermines your well-being, interferes with your functional capacity, including the ability to fulfill social, vocational, and family roles. Chronic pain can be due to different reasons, including spinal cord injuries, angina, peripheral vascular disease, post-surgical pain, and diabetic neuropathy. Fortunately, treatment methods such as the Clark spinal cord stimulator may help if your condition fails to respond to other treatments regimens.
What is a spinal cord stimulator, and what is its mechanics?
A spinal cord stimulator is a device consisting of thin wires or electrodes, which a doctor places in your epidural space. It also has a generator that is placed beneath your close to your abdomen or buttocks. The remote control and the antenna, which are externally used, allow patients to send electrical impulses when in pain. Its mechanism of action is not fully known, but the device may target different spinal muscles and affect the brain’s sense of pain.
Is spinal cord stimulation right for you?
A consultation with your doctor will help you understand whether you a suitable for spinal cord stimulation and that it will provide relief from your chronic pain. To ensure you are a good candidate, the doctor uses imaging tests and sometimes psychological screening. Psychological screening is essential to rule out mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, worsening your pain. Although patients respond differently to spinal cord stimulation, people who benefit the most from these treatment methods are those who:
- Have not used potent pain-relieving drugs, had previous surgery or less-invasive therapies.
- Do not have mental health problems or psychiatric disorders as it decreases the effectiveness of the procedure.
Possible complications from spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is generally safe and has rare complications, mainly from the surgical procedure required for a trial period. However, the trial period and permanent insertion of a spinal cord stimulator have potential complications such as infection, pain, and bleeding. Most patients take eight to six weeks to recover after spinal cord stimulation. The pain intensity varies from person to person, with some having severe pain for several days or more following permanent implantation. Your doctor may prescribe medications to relieve the pain.
Downsides of spinal cord stimulation
- Discomfort. The implanted generator can be a source of pain to some people.
- This treatment method does not address the underlying condition but interferes with pain signals sent to your brain.
- You may need to refrain from certain activities that add pressure to the body, such as scuba diving or entering a hyperbaric chamber.
- Damage to the generator from a defibrillator can lead to burns and even death. In addition, you may experience skin irritation on the skin near the generator.
- Follow-up surgery may be necessary in cases of device migration.
Living with chronic pain can be stressful for you and your loved ones. To learn whether spinal cord stimulation is an option for you, consult your University Pain Medicine Center specialist.
