I do not yet have a spinal cord stimulator placed. It was scheduled for the trial in April but I got a UTI so the placement was postponed. Now, I'm finding I need a new R hip. While I wait for the surgeon to have an opening, I got a steroid shot to relieve the pain from the disintegrating hip/hip socket. Surprise! My pain coming purportedly from L5-S1 and from the R S-I apparently was coming primarily from the R hip joint. I had a SPECT scan which showed rapidly proliferating arthritis at both L5-S1 and at the R S-I, but steroid injections had ceased to help at both of those locations. I was in considerable pain. And it turns out it was not from my spine or S-I joints, but from the R hip. I'm glad it has been located and with such a significant reduction in pain. All this is meant to say is to be sure that you and your neurologist are very certain your pain is coming from your spine before you have the stimulator implanted. I'm very glad to get so much pain relief from treating the deteriorating hip. It wasn't my spine after all.

My pain doc recommended a Medtronic SCS for my lumbar back pain and said you can do a one week trial before they permanently implant the device. My new surgeon said SCS is a last resort and that it’s often effective for only a year. I’m going to see 1 or 2 more surgeons before I decide. I’ve noticed doctors love to offer up solutions when they haven’t even identified the problem. It’s like “let’s guess and see how it goes”. I’m tired of the guess work and focusing on finding out what *specifically* is the issue with my lower back.

I have an Abbott spinal cord stimulator, placed in February 2023. it was the newest device, non-rechargeable. The disadvantage for me it was too large on my small frame (5'7", 120 lbs) and protruded out. I had it replaced with an Eterna, and it is good! Do the trial first, it is five days, with a battery placed outside your spine. No Showering until it is removed. The trial was successful, and I then made plans to have the SCS surgically implanted. I interviewed three doctors: two neurosurgeons (one from Mayo in Phoenix) and one orthopedic doctor. I chose the neurosurgeon who has performed 100"s of them, and was off-the-record recommended by the Abbott rep. Ask for the paddles, and not the lead wires, it is a better process for the pain to transmit to the brain, to alleviate the pain. The recovery is not easy, 6 weeks, and I am extremely active with racquet sports and other endeavors. I will say, it is doing its job. I don't have the pain in the morning as I did before. I had a spinal fusion L4-S1 ten years ago, and it didn't work out. There are five SCS companies, and I chose the one the pain management doctor told me about. Some could be aggressive when relieving pain. if it is your hip, then you escaped that type of surgery.

I also had the Abbott Burst, the newest device, implanted February 2023, however, it was too large on my 5'7" 120 lb frame. it created sciatica and I asked for it to be removed. After consulting with the doctor, we decided to have a smaller unit installed, chargeable, but that is how it goes. It has been performing well, and you are correct about if it was removed, and where you would be at with the pain level. That is what my pain management doctor has said as well. We don't realize the work the SCS is doing until if and when it is removed. I forgot to turn it back on after our trip to San Francisco. It has been off for almost two weeks...! I didn't notice anything, however, I had something "slip" in the spine two years ago when playing tennis. I am not sure if it will happen again, but at this time, it will stay.