How Does a Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial Work?

Do you suffer from chronic pain, particularly in your lower back and limbs? Then know you aren’t alone. This debilitating condition affects millions of people worldwide. 

If you haven’t found relief through conventional treatments, our team at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute, led by Ronak D. Patel, MD, offers spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a promising alternative. 

An essential step before committing to permanent implantation is the SCS trial. Understanding how this trial works can demystify the process and help you make an informed decision.

Spinal cord stimulation explained

Spinal cord stimulation involves delivering mild electrical impulses to your spinal cord via electrodes. These impulses interfere with pain signals before they reach your brain, which reduces the perception of pain. 

The device consists of a pulse generator implanted under your skin and leads with electrodes placed near your spinal cord.

The purpose of an SCS trial

The primary goal of an SCS trial is to determine if you’ll benefit from the therapy. This temporary phase allows an assessment of the stimulation’s effectiveness in reducing pain and improving your quality of life without committing to a permanent implant.

How an SCS trial works

An SCS trial is broken down into six steps:

1. Pretrial assessment

Before the trial, we conduct a thorough evaluation that includes a medical history review, physical examination, and possibly psychological assessment to ensure that you’re a suitable candidate for SCS.

2. Temporary lead placement

The trial procedure is minimally invasive and usually performed on an outpatient basis. Under local anesthesia and possibly mild sedation, we insert one or more leads through a needle or small incision into the epidural space of your spine. 

Using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray), we position the leads near the area of your spinal cord corresponding to your pain.

3. External pulse generator

The leads connect to an external pulse generator that you wear on a belt or shoulder strap. This allows you to control the stimulation parameters using a handheld device. The trial period typically lasts five to seven days, during which you go about your daily activities.

4. Trial period

During the trial, you keep a pain diary, noting changes in pain levels, physical activity, and any side effects. You’ll have regular check-ins with us for adjustments to the stimulation settings if necessary.

5. Evaluation

At the end of the trial, we review the results with you. If you experience significant pain relief (typically defined as a 50% or greater reduction in pain), improved function, and overall satisfaction, you can proceed with the permanent implantation.

6. Permanent implantation decision

If the trial is deemed successful, we remove the temporary leads and then schedule a separate procedure to implant the permanent pulse generator and leads. If the trial doesn’t provide adequate relief, we’ll consider other alternative treatments.

Benefits and considerations

The SCS trial provides valuable insight into the potential long-term success of the therapy. It minimizes the risk associated with committing to a permanent device without proof of efficacy. 

However, it’s important to understand that the trial is just a step in the process and requires your active participation and communication with our team.

To learn more about this patient-centered approach to managing your chronic pain, call the office nearest you in Plainsboro Township or Manalapan, New Jersey, at 609-269-4451 or book online now.