Spinal Cord Stimulator Removal? - Pain Management Message Board

foreverangel143 · 04-07-2008, 11:18 AM

Hi Just wondering if anyone has had their spinal cord stimulator removed, because it has just stopped working.

csx333 · 04-08-2008, 09:57 AM

The internal battery may be dead. My pain dr. said they last 5- 8 years depending on use.

shawley · 04-13-2008, 03:12 PM

Call your rep , they will get it working again.

I ask my surgeon before if I got this stim and if I ever wanted it removed would he take it out. He said YES. I heard of nerves wrapping around it and scar tissue growing on it making it impossible to remove and he said Bull crap!
He promised to take it out if I want.. So yes they can remove it if you want it. I love my stim for leg pain.. Don't do much for my back tho.

ms_west · 04-13-2008, 06:40 PM

I thought the stim helped with back pain but not leg pain. Am I confused again?

lfoster21 · 04-13-2008, 09:09 PM

I had the trial done last month, but due to the scar tissue problem, the Dr. could not get the leads in the area of the spine, that he needed to. He was able to go up my spine and placed the leads at T9 and that was able to give me some relief in my legs...but nothing in my back. The representative said that was because c9 was too high up to give me coverage of the back.

So, I am now going in to have a specialist of complex spinal problems, try to operatively go in and by-pass the scar tissue and try to place the leads in the correct place. Evidently, if they can get the leads at the T7/8 area (or lower), you should be able to get coverage of both the back and the legs.

I go in on thursday, and will be there for 1-3 days. If anyone else has input, I would be greatful.

Shawley-I was wondering if the stimulator works and you do the things that you were not able to do before the stimulator, do you stand the chance of re-injuring yourself by doing the bending, twisting and lifting etc?

Lorie