Other Health Care Professionals
SCS (also called neurostimulation) is a cost-effective therapy that has helped many chronic pain patients reduce their pain, increase their activity levels, and improve their overall quality of life.1, 2
Spinal cord stimulation is a chronic pain management option that works by intercepting pain signals before they reach the brain. To do this, a small system is implanted in the body. When turned on, this implanted system sends mild electrical pulses to nerves along the spinal cord, diminishing the feeling of pain. With proper patient selection, as well as correct device selection and positioning, SCS can be a highly successful long-term solution for certain types of chronic pain.
SCS may benefit patients who meet the following criteria:
- Patients with chronic pain of the trunk or limbs, whose pain is physiological in origin and of the type treatable with neurostimulation
- Patients with neuropathic pain (marked by burning, tingling or numbness)
- Patients with little or no relief from surgery or other treatment options, such as pain medications, nerve blocks, TENS, or physical therapy
- Patients who are able to operate the device
- Patients who are suitable candidates for surgery and free of active general infections
To learn more about how SCS may be able to help your chronic pain patients, contact us.
1. Kumar K, Malik S, Demeria D. Treatment of chronic pain with spinal cord stimulation versus alternative therapies: cost-effectiveness analysis. Neurosurgery. 2002;51(1):106–116.
2. Kumar K, Taylor RS, Jacques L, et al. Spinal cord stimulation versus conventional medical management for neuropathic pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial in patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Pain. 2007;132:179-188.