A minimally invasive neuromodulation therapy that uses low-level electrical signals to interrupt chronic pain before it reaches the brain — with a trial period that lets patients evaluate results before any permanent commitment is made.
Candidacy
Who This May Help
SCS may be an option if you have been living with chronic back or leg pain, failed back or neck surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), peripheral neuropathy, or diabetic neuropathy that has not responded adequately to physical therapy, medications, injections, or prior surgery. It is one of the most well-studied interventional pain therapies available and has a strong long-term evidence base across multiple pain conditions.
A consultation with our clinical team will determine whether you are a candidate.
Procedure Overview
How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works
Spinal cord stimulation works by delivering mild electrical impulses through thin leads placed in the epidural space alongside the spinal cord. These impulses interfere with pain signals traveling toward the brain — reducing the perception of pain without affecting normal sensation or motor function in most patients. The system consists of the leads and a small implanted generator, similar in concept to a cardiac pacemaker, that powers and controls the therapy.
Before any permanent implant, patients undergo a trial period of approximately five to seven days. Temporary leads are placed and connected to an external generator the patient wears outside the body — allowing a real-world evaluation of the therapy during normal daily activities. If the trial produces meaningful relief, the permanent procedure is performed as a same-day outpatient procedure. Patients go home the same day.
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Recovery & Results
What to Expect After the Procedure
Following permanent implant, patients are typically advised to limit bending, twisting, and heavy lifting for a short period while the leads stabilize — usually two to four weeks. Most patients resume light daily activities within a few days of the procedure. Stimulation settings are programmed by our clinical team and can be adjusted at follow-up visits to maintain optimal results.
Relief from spinal cord stimulation tends to build gradually, with many patients noticing continued improvement over the first several weeks and months following implant. The therapy is fully reversible — the system can be adjusted, reprogrammed, or removed if needed. Regular follow-up visits are an important part of long-term care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
SCS may be appropriate for patients with chronic back and leg pain, failed back or neck surgery syndrome, CRPS, peripheral neuropathy, or diabetic neuropathy that has not responded adequately to physical therapy, medications, injections, or prior surgery. A thorough evaluation helps determine candidacy and whether the trial is likely to be successful.
Before any permanent implant, patients undergo a trial period of approximately five to seven days. Temporary leads are placed in the epidural space and connected to an external generator the patient wears outside the body. This allows a real-world evaluation of the therapy during normal daily activities. If the trial produces meaningful relief, the permanent procedure is then performed on an outpatient basis.
Yes. Spinal cord stimulation is fully reversible — the system can be adjusted, reprogrammed, or removed at any time. Nothing about the procedure permanently alters the anatomy of the spine. The trial period itself is always temporary, and even after permanent implant the system can be turned off or explanted if needed.
SCS is used for a range of chronic pain conditions including failed back surgery syndrome, failed neck surgery syndrome, chronic back and leg pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), diabetic peripheral neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and post-surgical nerve pain. It is one of the most well-studied interventional pain treatments with a strong long-term evidence base.
Relief from SCS is ongoing for as long as the system is active and properly programmed. Settings can be adjusted over time by our clinical team to maintain optimal results as your condition or needs change. Many patients experience continued improvement over the first several weeks and months following permanent implant.
Following permanent implant, patients are typically advised to limit bending, twisting, and heavy lifting for a short period while the leads stabilize — usually two to four weeks. Most patients resume light daily activities within a few days of the procedure. Regular follow-up visits are an important part of long-term care with any implanted neuromodulation system.
Schedule a Consultation
A consultation is the right starting point. Our clinical team will review your history and determine whether spinal cord stimulation is an appropriate next step for your pain.
