Chronic pain can overwhelm your daily life, but finding the right treatment to manage the pain can help restore your freedom and activity. Spinal cord stimulator and Peripheral nerve stimulators You can help you suppress discomfort by preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.
Spinal cord stimulators are designed to relieve pain in the spine or to affect larger areas of the body. In contrast, peripheral nerve stimulators target smaller specific nerves to provide relief in local areas such as local or shoulders.
Understanding how these devices work can help you determine which option is best for your needs. If you want to help select the right pain relief option, Advanced pain care Can help. Schedule a consultation with us to find out which treatment is useful to you.
Understand the Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS)
Spinal cord stimulators are devices designed to control chronic (long-term) pain. They work by sending gentle electrical signals to the spinal cord, preventing pain messages from reaching the brain. This process usually replaces the pain with a light tingling feeling.
Diseases treated with spinal cord stimulators
SCS helps are:
- Long-term lower back pain
- Pain for nerve problems such as sciatic nerve
- Pain after back surgery
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRP)
For those who have not found relief through other treatments, spinal cord stimulation provides an effective way to directly address pain.
Procedure Overview of Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant
The process of receiving a spinal cord stimulator implant involves two key steps. First, a temporary device is implanted to evaluate whether it is effective in reducing your pain. If successful, place permanent SCS under the skin. Thin lines connected to the device send electrical signals to the spinal cord, helping to stop pain signals before reaching the brain.
After spinal cord stimulator surgery, recovery usually lasts for several weeks. During this time, your doctor will fine-tune the device settings to optimize pain relief and ensure you get the most effective results. Understand peripheral nerve stimulators (PNS)
Peripheral nerve stimulators help control pain by targeting specific nerves outside the spinal area. They send electrical signals to these smaller nerves, preventing pain in local areas of the body.
Diseases treated with peripheral nerve stimulators
PNS Help:
- Continuous pain in joints such as knees or shoulders
- Pain after surgery, especially on the arms or legs
- Neurological pain in diseases such as injury or neurology
- Headache and certain facial pains
If your pain is concentrated in a specific area, peripheral nerve stimulation provides a more focused and effective way to manage it.
Overview of procedures for peripheral nerve stimulation
Similar to SC, peripheral nerve stimulators are divided into two stages. First, temporary equipment is placed to test its effectiveness. If the trial is successful, the permanent device is implanted under the skin near the affected nerve. Small wires are located next to the nerves, sending electrical signals to block the pain.
After this process, most people experience rapid recovery, often starting to relieve pain in just a few days.
SCS and PNS
Both spinal cord stimulators and peripheral nerve stimulators work by sending electrical signals to stop pain. However, there are key differences in the way they work.
feature |
SCS |
PNS |
Target area | Concentrated targeting of the spinal cord. | Targeting specific peripheral nerves. |
Technology and mechanisms | Wide pain coverage with spinal signals. | Local relief of nerve signals. |
program | The experimental phase is followed by spinal implants. | Rapid trials, focusing on nerve placement. |
recover | The recovery is longer due to spinal involvement. | Recovery from the focus area is shorter. |
Choose the right treatment in advanced pain care
Choosing between spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation depends on several factors, including the severity and location of the pain and your specific needs and treatment goals. If you are experiencing extensive pain originating from the spine or affecting a large area, it may be a more suitable option. These devices are specially designed to manage diffuse pain in a wider area of the body.
On the other hand, if your pain is in a specific area (such as the knee or shoulder), peripheral nerve stimulators may provide more targeted relief. These devices target specific nerves to relieve pain in local areas.
It is crucial to consult with a pain specialist to determine which treatment is best for you. They will evaluate your current status and your medical history to recommend the most suitable option.
in conclusion
SCS and PNS devices can provide you with the best treatments. They can stop pain and improve your quality of life, but they work differently. Spinal cord stimulation is more suitable for pain that affects larger areas, such as the back or legs. On the other hand, peripheral nerve stimulation targets pain in smaller areas such as knees or shoulders. Both treatments can lead to relief, but the best choice depends on where your pain and personal needs are.
If you are struggling with chronic pain, talk to a pain expert to find out which treatments can help you feel better and get back to life. Contact Pain Relief Institute of America in Austin now.