Back Pain Forum - Spinal Cord Stimulators

Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Spinal Cord Stimulators

What structures make up the spine? We review basic spine anatomy here...before identifying potential causes of back pain....

Q: Spinal Cord Stimulators

asked by: DawBair on August 17th, 2006

New User

Hi - i've had two back surgeries (the last was a fusion at l4-l5) in the past four years - along with four series of nerve blocks. Nothing has worked to control my pain.

To be short - I can't sit, walk, or stand for very long without having increased pain in my lower back, hip and right leg.

I went to a pain management clinic. It is suppose to be the best in my area. The doctor suggested a spinal cord stimulator. Following that meeting, I have done the following:

#1. Got a second opinion from a orthopedic doctor. He stated "your hips are fine, there isn't any reason for your hips to hurt. The pain is being referred from your back."

#2. I will have a ctscan next week to make sure there isn't any other reason for the back pain. (like a new disc problem.)

#3. In about a week, i'll go to the back surgeon for the results of the ctscan.

I'm really not sure that I want to have this scs implanted. I'm interested in hearing from people who have had the scs - pro's and con's - is there any other avenue I should try first?

Replies(3)

gjzh

replied on August 23rd, 2006

New User

Dawbair,

as difficult as it might be to believe your hip pain is coming from your lumbar spine, it is true. I too had terrible pain in my hips and thought I must have arthritis in my hips, which you could, but mine came from my lumbar spine. I too have had a lumbar fusion, l1 to s1, and have discovered that the pain from the hips has dissapated.

I too was offered a spinal cord stimulator for pain, but have been told that the scs is an absolutely last result. There are many other things you can do to help with pain and I would exhaust those first. If your pain is localized to one area of the spine, then a scs may help you, but if not it will not work.

I was told by more than one surgeon that the scs would not help me because I had pain from the cervical spine as well as the thoracic and lumbar. The scs will only work in one particular area. It is expensive to have a scs implanted, so I would definitely get more than one opinion before allowing implantation.

DawBair

replied on August 23rd, 2006

New User

Thank you so much for your input. You confirm what i've been thinking - the scs is a big step to take and not one to be taken unless one has exhausted all other sources.

I had my scan done and will see my surgeon next week.

Dawn

gjzh

replied on August 23rd, 2006

New User

I have sent you a pm message as well.....I think it is wise to wait to see what is on the mri. You should know too that once they implant the scs I do not think you can have an mri after implantation...That is why you should make certain it is absolutely your last resort. Know too that some people have gone this route and it has helped. I just was not ready to be wired. I went for the fusion of the entire lumbar spine and hoping for pain relief. The scs are also very expensive to have implanted. I think in the range of $20,000. They always do a test first though to determine if this will help you.

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