If your condition does not respond permanently or long term to initial
more conservative treatments, PainCare offers several implantable
technologies for the continual management of pain.
Peripheral neuromodulation (aka peripheral nerve stimulation or PNS)
The peripheral nerves carry information from the spinal cord to all
parts of the body. A peripheral nerve stimulator is a device that
delivers electronic impulses directly to peripheral nerve fibers along
your area of chronic pain. The stimulation of these fibers interferes
with the transmission of pain signals from the area of pain to the
brain, and tricks the brain into turning off pain perception.
This procedure is done in two separate stages: a trial and a permanent
stage. During the trial, leads (very thin cables with metal electrodes
on one end and electrical connectors on the other) are placed through a
hollow needle near the nerve to be stimulated. The connector end
extends out through the skin and is attached to an external battery
receiver source that is controlled by the patient. This temporary
trial lead is left in place for a week or so to determine if
stimulation is effective. If there is significant relief, the next step
is a permanent system. The permanent system is implanted under the skin
in a surgical subcutaneous pocket, usually located in the abdominal or
buttocks fat, just below the skin surface. The implanted battery works
much like a pacemaker.
Most peripheral nerve stimulation procedures are performed on an
outpatient basis with a local anesthetic and I.V. conscious sedation.
Patient comfort and relaxation during our procedures is paramount.
Conscious sedation is offered at PainCare to allay anxiety associated
with injections and implants. Significant postoperative pain and
complications are extremely rare.
The following conditions may be treated with peripheral nerve stimulation:
Spinal neuromodulation (aka spinal cord stimulation or SCS)
Spinal cord stimulation is identical to the procedure for PNS described
above, except that it delivers electronic impulses directly to spinal
cord not peripheral nerves. The permanent implant is a bit more
complicated than with peripheral neuromodulation, and attendant risk of
complication is somewhat greater.
Spinal catheters (with/without medication pumps)
