Persistent pain can significantly impact the quality of life, hindering daily activities and contributing to various health issues. When the body’s natural response to an injury extends beyond its protective role, chronic pain can take a toll on a person’s well-being. Prolonged discomfort often leads to additional health challenges, including depression, weight gain, and reliance on medications for pain management. Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment option that can help heal and provide relief.

Understanding Spinal Cord Stimulation and How it Works

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a groundbreaking technique that offers hope to individuals suffering from chronic pain. This innovative procedure involves using a small spinal cord stimulator that delivers electrical impulses directly to the spinal cord. These impulses help mask or block pain signals before they reach the brain. This provides much-needed relief for people who have tried other treatments.

Implanting a spinal cord stimulator is a precise surgery. It starts with placing thin wires (called leads) into the epidural space along the spinal cord. This is done using a needle or minor incision guided by fluoroscopy. These leads are then tunneled under the skin to where the implanted pulse generator (IPG) will be located, usually in the abdomen or upper buttock. The IPG, holding the battery and electronic components, is put in a pocket created by the surgeon beneath the skin.

After connecting all parts, the incisions are closed. Then, the patient goes through a programming session to fine-tune settings for the best pain relief. Performed by a skilled specialist, this surgery helps manage chronic pain through targeted electrical impulses, significantly improving the individual’s comfort and well-being.

Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation offers many benefits for individuals living with chronic pain.

• It provides long-term relief for conditions resistant to other treatments. This procedure has been proven effective in managing pain caused by conditions such as failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathic pain.
• It allows patients to reduce or eliminate the need for pain medication, reducing the risk of dependence or addiction.
• Spinal cord stimulation has been shown to enhance overall quality of life by reducing pain levels, improving sleep, and increasing physical activity.

What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

Doctors typically recommend spinal cord stimulation for people who have tried other treatments without success. Candidates for this procedure often include those suffering from chronic pain conditions. Examples include neuropathy (weakness, numbness, and pain from nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet), failed back surgery syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome.

The journey to receiving a spinal cord stimulator involves several steps. It begins with an evaluation by a pain management specialist who will assess your medical history, perform a physical examination, and conduct diagnostic tests. They do this to determine the underlying cause of your pain. If you are a suitable candidate, a trial period may be recommended, during which temporary electrodes will be placed near your spinal cord. This trial period allows you to experience the benefits of spinal cord stimulation. You can try it out before deciding to get a permanent implant. If the trial is successful, a permanent spinal cord stimulator is implanted through a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery: What to Expect

Spinal cord stimulator surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can return home the same day. Before the procedure, you will be given anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The surgeon will then make a minor incision to implant the generator and electrodes. Once the device is in place, the incision will be closed, and you will be monitored for a short period before being discharged. It is important to follow your doctor’s recovery instructions and attend any follow-up appointments to ensure optimal results.

Risks and Potential Complications of Spinal Cord Stimulation

Like any surgical procedure, spinal cord stimulation does carry some risks. These risks include infection, bleeding, or damage to the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. It is important to note that serious complications are rare and can often be managed effectively with prompt medical attention. Your physician will discuss spinal cord stimulation’s potential risks and benefits with you in detail to help you make an informed decision.

Available Options for Spinal Cord Stimulation

If you’re contemplating spinal cord stimulation in the Land O’ Lakes or Zephyrhills area, explore your options with the trusted specialists at Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health. Specializing in pain management, we offer spinal cord stimulation as an effective treatment option. Finding the right physician is crucial, and with the expertise and experience required, our team is dedicated to guiding you through the process, ensuring you receive the highest standard of care.

Spinal Cord Stimulation with Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health

Spinal cord stimulation represents a groundbreaking advancement in pain management, bringing hope and relief to those suffering from chronic pain. If you’ve explored other treatment avenues without success and are still searching for lasting relief, spinal cord stimulation could be a viable option worth considering. Consult with your FMC physician to learn if this procedure aligns with your unique condition.

At Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health, our approach to spinal cord stimulation involves a comprehensive two-part procedure. This procedure begins with a trial period during which a temporary stimulator is implanted near the spinal cord. The trial period allows patients to experience how the system works and assess its effectiveness in relieving their pain. If the trial is successful, patients may proceed to the second portion of the procedure, which involves the permanent implantation of the stimulator. One of the major benefits of this approach is that it provides patients with the opportunity to test the system before committing to the permanent implant. This trial phase helps ensure that the treatment is suitable and effective for each individual patient’s needs, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and better outcomes.

By understanding the benefits, familiarizing yourself with the process, and partnering with the right physician, you can make an informed decision and embark on the journey toward a life liberated from pain. Choose Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health for compassionate guidance and specialized care in your pursuit of pain management excellence. Your path to a pain-free existence begins with us.

Meet Dilip Kamath, MD

Dr. Kamath received extensive training in pain management at the University of Miami and is dedicated to enhancing patients’ well-being. His passion lies in understanding his patients’ goals and assisting them in achieving the quality of life they deserve. He administers treatments in both clinical and outpatient settings and is proficient in cutting-edge technologies and techniques, including fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided procedures. His dual role as an anesthesiologist provides a unique perspective on perioperative risk management. Dr. Kamath speaks Spanish with intermediate fluency and has basic proficiency in Hindi and Latin. Beyond his medical pursuits, he cherishes family time, enjoys sports, and maintains an active lifestyle, indulging in interests like the gym, tennis, and golf. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Kamath by calling 813-977-6688.