Spinal cord stimulation can be very effective at treating nerve pain (neuropathic pain) and dysfunction from a number of different conditions. It has been shown to be particularly effective at relieving resistant nerve pain such as lumbar radiculopathy following spinal surgery. Other conditions for which it is useful include limb ischaemia, refractory angina, bladder and bowel control problems, and direct nerve injury pain.
It is an advanced treatment and should only be carried out after trying all other non-destructive treatment options. It involves the implantation of a wire and a device the size of a matchbox. Usually patients will have a trial system for a couple of weeks that will not be fully implanted. If they get good symptom relief a full system will then be implanted.
The main risk is infection, which can occur in up to 5% of patients. If the system becomes infected it will have to be removed. Other risks include bleeding, nerve damage, damage to bowel, or infection. It can usually be performed as a day case but patients may require one overnight stay. See Important Information about Procedures.