Get Relief From Pain After Back Surgery With A Spinal Cord Stimulator
Mary’s Story
Like many people, Mary Steinberger had undergone multiple back surgeries over the years yet continued to suffer from pain. Because of her pain, Mary was forced to retire from her nursing career. She felt her life quality had diminished, and her time and attention to her family were limited. After seeking more surgeons’ opinions, although not wanting additional surgery, Mary requested to be seen by a pain specialist and was referred to Dr. Phillip Essay, an interventional pain medicine physician at Innovative Pain & Spine Specialists in Lincoln, Nebraska.
After reviewing Mary’s history and hearing her story, Dr. Essay and his team determined that Mary was a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation, a treatment that is often used to treat pain after back surgery with a spinal cord stimulator.
What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator and How Does it Work?
- A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that sends small amounts of electricity into the spinal cord to relieve pain.
- Small wires on the device are inserted between the spinal cord and the vertebrae. These wires send the electrical current from the implanted battery pack to the vertebrae, interrupting how the brain senses pain.
- Small wires on the device are inserted between the spinal cord and the vertebrae. These wires send the electrical current from the implanted battery pack to the vertebrae, interrupting how the brain senses pain.
Spinal cord stimulators are often considered after other treatments have failed to reduce a patient’s pain after back surgery. In Mary’s case, she had experienced failed back surgeries. “Until this point, I felt like I was out of options and was going to live in pain for the rest of my life,” Mary said.
Patients considering spinal cord stimulation, trial the procedure first. Before beginning the trial period, Mary completed imaging and a psychological screening.
What Can You Expect with a Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial?
At Innovative Pain & Spine Specialists, experienced interventional pain medicine physicians implant temporary electrodes in the spine to test how the patient’s pain might be affected by a spinal cord stimulator. Unlike the permanent stimulator, the battery is outside the body and worn around the patient’s waist during the trial period.
A patient will test how the device lowers their pain and will provide feedback about their experience to their doctor. To be considered a success, the trial must reduce the patient’s pain by 50 percent within a week.
Within days of Mary’s trial, she was excited to tell Dr. Essay that she was feeling considerably less pain. “I could not believe the pain relief that I got,” she noted. It was the confirmation Mary needed that a spinal cord stimulator would improve her quality of life. Though Mary did have pain return between the trial period and the permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation, she now lives pain-free after her failed back surgeries because of the spinal cord stimulator.
The spinal cord stimulator's internal battery requires a daily charge to maintain an electrical current. A simple charger must have full power and then go on the skin where the implanted spinal cord stimulator device is located. Patients are advised to check for good conduction and then enjoy resting for 45 minutes to an hour while the battery charges. Mary uses her daily charging time to read and reflect.
After years of suffering from back pain, Mary’s life is comfortable again, and she can do all her daily activities with ease. “It is surprising to feel like a human again,” she added. Before getting a spinal cord stimulator, Mary struggled to be more than a spectator at her family’s events and gatherings. Now, she gets to join in the fun, and her family gets to see her pain-free. Mary has been opiate-free for over a year, which is a tremendous change in her life.
“I am so grateful to Dr. Essay and his team at Innovative Pain & Spine Specialists in Lincoln, Nebraska.”
Are you a candidate for a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
- Have you had back surgery, but still experience pain?
- Have you suffered injuries to the spinal cord?
- Do you suffer from arachnoiditis?
- Have medications or therapies failed to treat your pain?
If you have had back surgery and have tried medications or therapies but are still suffering from pain, call Innovative Pain & Spine Specialists in Lincoln, Nebraska at 402-413-5010 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Phillip Essay today.