Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment for chronic pain. It is usually used after other treatments have failed.
Your surgeon will put electrodes between your spinal cord and vertebrae, and a pacemaker-like battery pack under your skin. You'll then be able to use a remote control to send electrical impulses to your spine when you feel pain. You may feel a light tingling instead.
Types of pain that may be treated with spinal cord stimulation include:
- Back pain
- Angina (heart pain)
- Post-surgical pain, including pain after an amputation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Cancer-related neuropathy
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Sciatica
- Multiple sclerosis