Spinal Stimulator for Back Pain

[gunnurse]

Three years ago, I blew tho L 4-5 disc in my back at work. I have had two back surgeries being a L 3-4-5 S-1 fusion. While in less blinding pain, I now have what is known as radicular pain (nerve pain.) I cannot walk greater than 50 yards without having incredible numbness, tingling, and pain. My primary spinal surgeon has referred me to a pain management specialist for a stimulator.

If anyone has had such a device, I would like to know the results- either good or bad. Please help.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Are you talking about the device they implant? My father (similar symptoms to you) had one installed about this time last year, IIRC. It's been hit or miss - they did a two week trial without actually implanting the device and it worked wonderfully - near 100% reduction in pain. He had the device actually implanted and it's never worked anywhere near as well as the trial device.

The parents live in Hendersonville, NC and I live in Athens, GA so I haven't actually spoken with the doctors but we're all curious why it would work so well in the trial but fail upon actual install.

Feel free to shoot me PM if you want.

 

[Lilly001]

My wife had one. It stopped working and she had it removed.
It did help some when it worked.
Her new pain Doctor. Says the old one was the wrong frequency for her application.
He is recommending a new model.
She is postponing it because she is getting relief from CBD oil.

 

[trad bow]

I had one and had it removed. It caused more pain than it helped alleviate. Doctors left wires in back in case I decided to go back to a stimulator. Well the wires broke loose and one end was moving around in my back so I had to have another surgery to remove the wires. I’ll put up with the nerve pain but will say lyrica has helped Greatly with that

 

[mrs. hornet22]

After my sons major back surgery he had to wear a bone growth stimulator vest a certain time each day. I'm sure it helped, but he said it hurt like the dickens while it was on. Had some kinda electric shock thing in it.

 

[feathersnantlers]

My wife has had one since 2005. She loves it and wouldn't be able to half the things she does now without it. There are different kinds with rechargeable batt inside the patient and now outside. I would research the different models/manufacturers. Usually, a Dr. office is in cahoots with only one mfg. I would research it,

 

[BriarPatch99]

My wife has had ten back surgeries ....

The pain management doctor attempted to place a trial spinal stimulator .... could not do so because of the fusion ....

Orthopedic doctor attempted to do the permanent implant ...he also failed because the spinal canal was too small for the probes ...

Now she is back to square one ..or really worse in my opinion ....

She is fused from T3 all the way to S1...

Boston Scientific was the maker of the trial and implanted one ...probes were the " 32" node . ..

 

[ddavis1120]

Worked with a guy that had one. It changed his life. Treating the symptom actually cured the guy.

 

[gunnurse]

Thank you, ddavis.

 

[zedex]

I've had so many spinal surgeries, its ridiculous. Nothing has helped as a permanent fixture.
What has helped, even if for a few months, is spinal nerve cauterizing. The nerves do reconnect but I was informed after about 4 to 5 years of the treatment, they wont grow together anymore. That part remains to be seen.
Currently, between the cauterizing, pain meds and an electric tinger, I can get around to some degree.

 

[bfriendly]

Not to get side tracked and I hope you find what you need. But have y’all tried an inversion table to help? I don’t have any chronic or severe pain, but I get some back aches pretty good sometimes. I always thought inversion would be nice and it is amazing! I finally bought one for round $150 offf eBay. My son wife and I all get on it. I’d recommend it if it’s an option.