Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

The SCS Treatment Process

Step 1: Specialist Consultation

The first step is an evaluation by a doctor experienced in SCS. Your treatment history, pain condition, imaging studies, and psychological assessment are all reviewed to determine whether SCS is appropriate for you.

Step 2: Trial Stimulation

One distinctive feature of SCS is that you can test it before committing to a permanent implant.

• A thin electrode is placed under local anesthesia (a short hospital stay is typically required)
• Over 5 to 14 days, you evaluate the effect during your daily life
• If pain improves by 50% or more, you proceed to permanent implantation
• If the effect is insufficient, the electrode is removed

However, the trial period itself carries risks, including infection. It is not something to take lightly — rather, it is a step that allows you to verify the effect before proceeding to permanent implantation.

Step 3: Permanent Implantation

If the trial confirms a good response, a permanent device is implanted:

• The electrode and a small device containing a battery (the "generator") are placed inside the body
• The generator is placed under the skin near the upper buttock area (roughly the size of a business card)
• The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours
• A hospital stay of several days is usually required

Step 4: Follow-Up

• Regular clinic visits for device programming adjustments
• Battery replacement is eventually needed: approximately 10 years for rechargeable units, approximately 3 to 5 years for non-rechargeable units
• Stimulation patterns can be adjusted as your pain changes over time