Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a treatment for chronic back or leg pain when other options haven’t helped. It involves placing a small device near the spine that sends gentle electrical pulses to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. While it doesn’t cure pain, many patients experience a 50% or greater reduction.
Before committing to the procedure, patients try a temporary external version of the device to see how well it works for them.
SCS is usually recommended for people who:
The procedure has two parts:
The procedure takes 1–2 hours, and most people go home the same day.
Recovery usually takes 6–8 weeks. During this time, patients should avoid heavy lifting, bending, or twisting. Pain from the procedure is typically managed with medication.
Like any surgery, there are risks, including infection, bleeding, or spinal fluid leakage. Device-specific issues may include:
In some cases, further surgery may be needed to adjust or replace the device.
