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    Conditions We TreatChronic pain has many causes, and we have broad expertise in treating a wide range of conditions. Before beginning any treatment, however, we focus closely on identifying the precise nature of your pain. Pinpoint diagnosis provides the foundation to deliver maximum relief with minimum risk.View All
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    Treatment SolutionsNura combines pinpoint diagnosis with multi-point treatment to zero in on the source of chronic pain and attack it from every angle. Designed to provide real and lasting relief, precise pain management focuses your treatments exactly where they’re needed – dialing down your pain while dialing up your long-term health and well-being.View All
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Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

A spinal cord stimulator uses electrical impulses to relieve chronic pain of the trunk, arms and legs. It is believed that electrical impulses block pain signals within the spinal cord and prevent these impulses from reaching the brain.

Spinal cord stimulator candidates include people who suffer from neuropathic (nerve injury) pain and for whom conservative treatments have failed. This advanced neurostimulator technology can be easily trialed, allowing the patient to experience pain relief from nerve stimulation prior to making any decision to have a permanent pain control system surgically implanted.

We think of a spinal cord stimulator implant as similar to the implant of a cardiac pacemaker – both devices include wires and batteries, but the spinal cord stimulator is targeted to the spine rather than the heart.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial

The injection site is anesthetized. One or more insulated wire leads are inserted through an epidural needle into the space surrounding the spinal cord, called the epidural space. The trial procedure is similar to an epidural steroid injection and there is no incision and no surgery required. IV conscious sedation or general anesthesia can be administered as the patient wishes.

Find the Right Location

Electrodes at the end of the lead wire produce electrical pulses that stimulate the spinal cord and spinal nerves, blocking pain signals. The patient may sometimes be asked to provide feedback to help the physician determine where to place the stimulation leads to best block the pain. The leads are connected to an external trial stimulator, which will be used for approximately one week to determine if SCS will help the patient.

Determine Effectiveness

If the patient and physician determine that the amount of pain relief is acceptable, the system may be permanently implanted. At the end of the trial implantation, the leads are removed.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant

The permanent implantation may be performed while the patient is under sedation or general anesthesia. First, one or more permanent leads are inserted through an epidural needle placed through a small incision in the midline spinal area and advanced into the predetermined location in the epidural space.

Generator Implantation

Next, a small incision is created in the upper buttock or flank, and the implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery is positioned beneath the skin. It is most often implanted in the buttocks or the flank. The leads are then tunneled beneath the skin, from the spine to the IPG pocket and connected to the IPG battery.

End of Procedure

The internal pulse generator (IPG/battery) is programmed with an external wireless programmer. The patient can use the programmer to turn the system on or off, adjust the stimulation power level and switch between different programs. After surgery, patients may experience mild discomfort and swelling at the incision sites for several days.

back to Neurostimulation

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Edina Clinic

7400 France Avenue South
Suite 100
Edina, MN 55435
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Coon Rapids Clinic

2104 Northdale Boulevard NW
Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55433
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2104 Northdale Boulevard NW
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