What Conditions Does Spinal Cord Stimulation Treat?

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a highly effective treatment option if you’ve been living with chronic pain that hasn’t responded to other therapies. Our team at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute, led by Ronak D. Patel, MD, uses this minimally invasive procedure to relieve several conditions.

Here, we explain how it works and what it treats.

How a spinal cord stimulator works

A spinal cord stimulation procedure involves the placement of a small device in your spinal cord that delivers mild electrical pulses. The stimulator interrupts pain signals before they reach your brain.

Conditions a spinal cord stimulator can treat

Here at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute, we use spinal cord stimulation to treat the following:

1. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS)

One of the most common reasons people turn to spinal cord stimulation is to manage pain after back surgery. In some cases, surgery doesn’t fully resolve the pain or can even lead to new nerve pain. This condition is known as failed back surgery syndrome. SCS can help relieve pain in your lower back, legs, or feet when other treatments fall short.

2. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Complex regional pain syndrome is a nerve disorder that causes intense, burning pain — often in an arm or leg — after an injury or surgery. The pain can be out of proportion to the original injury and may include swelling, changes in skin color, and sensitivity to touch. Spinal cord stimulation has been shown to significantly reduce pain and improve the quality of life for people with CRPS.

3. Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy involves nerve damage that causes numbness, tingling, and sharp pain, especially in your hands and feet. When caused by conditions like diabetes or chemotherapy, SCS can help control the chronic pain that medications alone may not fully manage.

4. Postherpetic neuralgia

After a shingles outbreak, you may experience ongoing nerve pain known as postherpetic neuralgia. This pain can last for months or even years. SCS offers a nonopioid way to manage this lingering discomfort by blocking pain signals from the affected area.

5. Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis is a rare but painful condition caused by inflammation of the spinal cord’s protective layers. It can result in burning pain, tingling, and muscle cramps. Since it's difficult to treat with traditional medications, we may recommend spinal cord stimulation to help manage symptoms.

6. Chronic pain from nerve injury

Whether from trauma, surgery, or unknown causes, nerve injuries can lead to long-term pain that’s difficult to treat. SCS provides relief by calming overactive pain signals, allowing you to reduce or stop your reliance on pain medications.

If you’re dealing with chronic pain that hasn’t responded to treatment, contact us online or by phone at any of our locations in Plainsboro Township, Manalapan, or Freehold, New Jersey, to book a consultation. We can discuss spinal cord stimulation and help determine if the treatment might offer you a new path forward.