boston scientific generator leads dorsal column stimulator

#Boston scientific generator leads dorsal column stimulator skin
#Boston scientific generator leads dorsal column stimulator trial

Once correct positioning is confirmed the leads are secured under the skin.Ī small impulse generator/battery (IPG) is then implanted under the skin at a site chosen by you and your doctor. The stimulator leads (electrodes) are again inserted via a specialised needle. An anaesthetist will be present to give you sedation. You will be admitted on the day of the procedure. SCS implants are performed at North Shore Private Hospital in an operating theatre.

#Boston scientific generator leads dorsal column stimulator trial

It is also important that you complete the pain diary to determine the effectiveness of the SCS over the course of the trial period.Īt the completion of the trial, the lead will be removed, and a decision will be made whether to proceed to permanent implant. Throughout the trial period it is important that you follow the restrictions given to you by the device representative, Northern Pain centre nursing staff and your pain specialist. You will usually be discharged home the day following insertion of the trial lead, but will require follow up with your pain specialist at Northern Pain centre throughout the trial periods of 7-10 days. Throughout the trial period different modes of stimulation may be used to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment in your specific case. This will remain in place for the duration of the trial. When the stimulator is positioned correctly, it will be secured to the skin and covered with a dressing. A thin stimulator lead (electrode) is then advanced in the epidural space to a specific level of the spine. You will be given intravenous sedation by an anaesthetist to help you relax throughout the procedure.Īfter administering local anaesthetic, a specialised needle is used to enter the epidural space which lies underneath the bones of the vertebrae. Your pain specialist will determine the appropriate spinal cord stimulator for you, by assessing you independently and using up-to-date clinical research and current best practice.Īn SCS trial is performed at the Interventional Procedure Centre within North Shore Private Hospital (located within Royal North Shore Hospital) in an operating theatre equipped with specialised x-ray equipment. There are many different spinal cord stimulator devices available for the management of chronic pain. If your pain specialist decides that this treatment is suitable for your condition, a comprehensive trial is undertaken to determine if SCS will be helpful to you. Other conditions that may also respond to SCS include complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), pain following nerve injury, refractory gain, post-herpetic neuralgia and peripheral vascular disease. It can also be used to treat back pain that is not suitable for spinal surgery. Spinal cord stimulation is most commonly used for leg, back and arm pain that has not responded to spinal surgery.

A hand-held charger: some IPGs are rechargeable and require regular charging to maintain stimulation.

A hand-held controller: this is used to turn the system on and off, adjust the type of stimulation, location of stimulation and level of stimulation.

An electrode: this sits in the epidural space and delivers very small and precise currents to the spinal cord.

It is implanted under the skin and has an inbuilt battery. Impulse Generator (IPG): this is a computer that is roughly the size of a matchbox that controls the impulses delivered to the spinal cord.As a result, the pain messages that your body sends to the brain are blocked or modified.Ī spinal cord stimulator system is made of four parts: Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) alters the experience of pain by sending impulses to the spinal cord that compete with pain signals.