Spinal Cord Stimulator

West Texas Pain Institute

Pain Management Physicians located in El Paso, TX

Approximately 80% of Americans experience back pain at some point during their lives. If you’re one of those people and haven’t found relief with other therapies, you may benefit from spinal cord stimulation. Raul Lopez, MD, offers this pain-relieving technique at West Texas Pain Institute, in El Paso, Texas. If you want to learn more about spinal cord stimulation, call the practice or schedule an appointment online today.

915-313-4443

Spinal Cord Stimulator Q & A

What is spinal cord stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is an innovative treatment for back pain that uses a mild electrical current to disrupt pain messages traveling along your spine. It’s also an effective treatment for sciatica and other nerve damage symptoms, like pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs.

Spinal cord stimulation involves a thin wire that Dr. Lopez places at a strategic point in your spine. The wire is connected to a small battery-operated generator that powers and sends the electrical current.

The electrical current disrupts the pain messages that travel between your brain and body, which relieves your pain and helps you focus on physical therapy to rebuild strength and flexibility.

What happens during spinal cord stimulation implantation?

Dr. Lopez applies spinal cord stimulators in two stages: a trial and permanent implantation. Both phases of implantation are minimally invasive outpatient procedures. You lie on your stomach or side on a treatment table during the procedure. Dr. Lopez uses X-rays to ensure that he places the wire in the correct part of your spine and is in contact with the nerve responsible for the dysfunctional pain messages.

Trial

During your trial phase, Dr. Lopez temporarily places wires into your spine. The wires lead to a small battery operated generator that remains outside of your body. The trial period allows Dr. Lopez to ensure spinal cord stimulation is an effective treatment for your pain and to fine-tune the settings.

Permanent implantation

If the spinal cord stimulator relieves your pain, Dr. Lopez schedules the next stage of your implantation, which involves the permanent placement of the wires in your spine as well as placing the generator pack in your lower back or upper buttock.

Am I a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is often an effective treatment for chronic back pain due to inflammatory conditions and neurological dysfunction, such as complex regional pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. It’s also commonly used to relieve post-surgical pain. Dr. Lopez provides comprehensive exams and testing to determine if spinal cord stimulation is right for you.

If you suffer from back pain and want to find out if spinal cord stimulation is a viable option, call West Texas Pain Institute or schedule a consultation online today.