What to Expect During and After Your Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial

Chronic pain can make even the simplest tasks feel impossible. When medications, physical therapy, and injections haven’t worked, a spinal cord stimulator might be worth considering. But before committing to a permanent implant, you need to go through a trial period first.

At Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon, Vladimir Fiks, MD, specializes in helping patients determine if spinal cord stimulation is the right option through a short-term trial process.

We give you a ‘test drive’ before committing to a permanent implant

A spinal cord stimulation trial gives you about a week to experience how the technology might work for your specific pain. Unlike the permanent version, the trial uses temporary leads connected to an external device.

The procedure at our Portland clinic is straightforward. First, Dr. Fiks uses local anesthetic to numb the area. Then he places thin, temporary leads near your spinal cord.

These leads connect to a device you wear outside your body which we program specifically for your pain. Most patients head home on the same day. The entire procedure typically takes less than an hour.

Test the stimulator in your everyday life to see if it’s a fit

For the next 5-7 days, you get to see how the stimulator affects your pain in real-world situations. Many people notice a difference right away.

You might feel:

• A tingling or buzzing sensation that masks your pain
• Improved ability to sit, stand, or walk for longer periods
• Better sleep quality
• Less reliance on pain medication

We recommend keeping notes about your pain levels and activities. Did you manage to sit through dinner without pain? Could you walk around the block? These observations help determine if a permanent implant makes sense for you.

We remove the trial leads and discuss your results

After your trial week, you return to our office where Dr. Fiks removes the temporary leads. This removal is quick and usually painless.

Then, we discuss your experience in detail:

• How much did your pain decrease?
• What activities were easier?
• Did your sleep improve?
• Would you want this relief long-term?

Insurance typically requires at least 50% pain reduction to approve a permanent implant.

The permanent implant procedure is different in a few key ways

If you and Dr. Fiks decide to proceed with permanent implantation, here’s what changes:

• The procedure takes a bit longer
• You receive deeper sedation
• The generator gets implanted under your skin
• Everything is internal with no external wires

Recovery requires limiting certain movements for about 2-3 weeks, so it’s important to prepare for some downtime.

You might be a good candidate if other treatments haven’t helped

Dr. Fiks typically recommends spinal cord stimulation trials for patients who:

• Still have pain after spine surgery
• Experience nerve pain that other treatments haven’t helped
• Want to reduce dependency on pain medications
• Have tried conservative treatments without success

If you’re interested in finding out if a spinal cord stimulation trial might help your chronic pain, contact Advanced Pain Management Center in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Fiks can evaluate your condition and determine if this approach might work for you.

Call our office or schedule online to discuss whether this option might help you manage your pain more effectively.