Spinal Cord Stimulator, a ray of hope for those suffering from damaged Spinal nerves and Spinal Cord

We have all heard of  cardiac pacemaker  and how it can revive a critically and  irreversibly damaged heart by  generating electrical impulses called cardiac impulses or action potentials required for proper pumping of heart thus acting as a true life savior in otherwise hopeless condition. Quite similar to it is, spinal cord stimulator, a device used to exert pulsed electrical signals to revive the already damaged spinal cord peripheral nerves of the patient when everything else has failed,thus giving relief from chronic pain.

Approved by the FDA in 1989, spinal cord stimulation (SCS), a form of neuro stimulation technology has over the years become a standard treatment for patients with chronic pain in their back and or limbs and those who have not found pain relief from other treatments. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a pain relief technique that delivers a low-voltage electrical current continuously to the spinal cord to block the sensation of pain.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the simplest form, involves stimulating electrodes implanted in the epidural space, an electrical pulse generator implanted in the lower abdominal area or gluteal region with the conducting wires connecting the electrodes to the generator, and the generator remote control. As pain changes or improves, stimulation can be adjusted as necessary.

Most patients who qualify for neurostimulation therapy report a 70 to 90% reduction in overall pain, as well as an increased ability to participate in normal family and work activities. Many patients find that they can decrease or stop taking painkillers or other pain medications after undergoing spinal cord stimulation. Given these benefits, there has been ongoing research and advances in spinal cord stimulation technology, and many individuals suffering from chronic pain find that neurostimulation positively impacts the quality of their lives. However, it is important to note that the degree of pain relief experienced from spinal cord stimulation or peripheral nerve stimulation varies from person to person.

In general, neurostimulation works by applying an electrical current to the source of chronic pain. SCS is the most commonly used implantable neurostimulation technology for management of pain syndromes. As many as 50,000 neurostimulators are implanted worldwide every year. SCS is a widely accepted treatment for chronic pain of the trunk and limbs (back, legs and arms). It has notable analgesic properties and therefore also used  for treatment of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)  spinal cord injury (SCI),nerve damage and in the case of motor Neuron damage.

Spinal Cord Stimulation is a measure of last resort and generally helps in reducing the chronic pain the patients might be suffering,thus giving him or her a chance to have better quality life.