Pain Management & Interventional Spine
Spinal Cord Stimulator
A spinal cord stimulator is a small implanted device that sends gentle electrical pulses to interrupt chronic pain signals before they reach the brain. Patients trial the device first, then have it permanently placed if it helps.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
60 to 120 minutes
Anesthesia
Sedation with local
Recovery
Same day discharge
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
A spinal cord stimulator delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, replacing pain signals before they reach the brain.
You test the therapy first with a temporary trial lead for about a week. Only if the trial gives meaningful relief is a permanent system implanted.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Persistent pain after back surgery
- Chronic radicular pain or neuropathy
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Pain not controlled by injections or medication
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Trial phase
Temporary leads are placed through a needle and connected to an external generator you wear for about a week at home.
Permanent implant
If the trial succeeds, leads and a small rechargeable generator are implanted and programmed to your pain pattern.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Avoid bending, lifting, and twisting for six weeks so the leads anchor securely.
Programming is refined at follow-up visits and can be adjusted from your phone.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
What if the trial does not help?
The temporary leads are simply removed in the office and no permanent implant is placed.
Is it reversible?
Yes. Unlike fusion, the system can be removed entirely if needed.
Is spinal cord stimulation done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
