What to Expect During Your Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial

A spinal cord stimulator is an excellent treatment for various forms of chronic pain, but it's not for everyone. It's a device that requires a trial period to determine if it will work for your specific type of pain.

At Delmarva Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Shachi Patel and her team offer various forms of pain management, including spinal cord stimulation. Dr. Patel performs this procedure for patients with neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, and spinal cord injuries.

Why is a trial period necessary?

A spinal cord stimulator has two steps: a trial period and permanent implantation. The trial period is necessary to determine whether you'll have significant relief before the invasive permanent procedure.

Every person responds to spinal cord stimulation differently, and it doesn't work to relieve everyone's pain. The trial allows Dr. Patel to determine the correct lead placement and comfort level during the trial to determine if it's a good fit for each patient.

How the trial period works

Before starting the spinal cord stimulation trial, Dr. Patel discusses your goals, expectations, and other treatment options. Because it is ultimately an invasive procedure, it's crucial to exhaust other therapies before deciding on a spinal cord stimulator.

If you've already tried other conservative treatments without pain relief or have failed back surgery syndrome, a spinal cord stimulator is the next step. But before you go in for the permanent procedure, we must ensure it will work for you.

The trial period consists of the spinal cord stimulator, pulse generator, and electrical leads. These components stay outside the body except for the tip of the leads in the epidural space.

During the trial period, you should use the stimulator as much as possible to ensure it works before we implant it permanently. Depending on each patient's needs, the trial period typically lasts a week to ten days or more.

Once you've evaluated the stimulator's effectiveness, Dr. Patel will meet with you to discuss the results. Before implanting the permanent device, she wants to see a 50% improvement in pain and functionality.

What to expect during the trial

During the trial procedure, we have you lay on your stomach on a treatment table. You're in a gown with your back exposed. Dr. Patel utilizes a specialized X-ray called fluoroscopy to find the area in your spine causing pain.

When she finds the area, she injects it with local anesthetic. We may give you relaxant medication to ease discomfort. Dr. Patel makes a tiny incision near the spine where she inserts a hollow needle.

Dr. Patel gently inserts the trail leads through the needle into the epidural space, using fluoroscopy to ensure they're in the correct place. The other end of the leads stays outside of your body, where she secures them with a few stitches.

She then connects the leads to the pulse generator, which is also outside your body, and secures both in place. In the recovery room, we show you how to use the remote to control the stimulator during the trial.

Over the next week, you'll go about your normal activities while utilizing the stimulator. If you meet the trial requirement, Dr. Patel discusses scheduling the permanent procedure for long-term pain relief.

To learn more about spinal cord stimulation, call our Newark, Delaware, office to schedule an appointment or request a consultation with Dr. Patel on our website.