Should I have the Spinal Cord Stimulator? Looking for reviews on this

I am still rather young in my recovery process following my spinal fusion - it's going to take me a good 3-months to even begin to feel better. I still have a lot of pain/discomfort, am still taking pain medication and muscle relaxants, walking with my rolling walker. I have hip and groin pain which I hear is all part of this recovery. So I guess you could say that there is still a lot of healing that has to happen yet in my body.

I have been through all of this: L4-S1 fusion in 2014; epidurals, lots of PT (and I am extremely active) and had the SCS performed in 2023. It is working, yet you need to work with it and the reps: it is not a one size fits all. I knew of the SCS five years ago, but I wasn't ready. When you have exhausted all methods, then you will know when it is time. There are several companies for SCS, do your research. Strongest wavelength is not the best. One thing with a fusion: the hardware in your spine begins to settle and bulge on top of the other lumbers. Not a good thing.

Denman, please send me your email, and I will send a reply I sent to another post viewer. I have a SCS, and can tell you in length, away from this forum.

I have had two surgeries with fusions in my lower back. I have tried everything including the spinal cord nerve stimulator. I wanted it to work. It did not. In built up scar tissue within a few months to the point where it had to be removed. I find that Pilates and PT help but I am still in pain - no more surgeries regardless. I wish I knew of a solution.

I have had 2 microdiscectomies and an L4-5 fusion, and I still have back pain. I'm hoping an SCS helps me. Where was your pain, and what fusions did you have?

I had an L4-5 fusion that ended up causing chronic L5 nerve damage. The third neurosurgeon said I might be a candidate for stimulator. I had one installed. You have to be patient. It took six months to get the thing programmed and tweaked perfect for me and it has made a lot of difference. I wish you the best.

Have the trial first. Look over all the different makes of SCS. There quite a few. I had the Medtronics one. The trial is a relatively simple procedue. Lasts 3-5 days. It will give you an idea as to whether it is something you want to go ahead with. I had 70-80% pain reduction with the trial. About 50% with the permanent implant. Still pretty good, along with pain meds, to get my average pain down to a 2-3 on most days. Good enough to get me back to an almost normal daily routine. Do a search for the top-rated SCS. The research I did said that the Boston Scientifie WaveRider stood at the yop of the pile. Good luck!

I too have the Boston Waverider.

I have the Nevro. I got into the final study for it. It's already approved medically, they are just doing the last big trial before market. Anyway, I got 80% relief on the trial and have about the same relief on the permanent implant. It works great on my nerve pain. Not so much on structural pain. I'm very happy with mine, if that helps.

I have Abbott, implanted last year. it appears to be working, and subtle wavelength is better than strong. A previous post mentioned about the trial. Yes, the trial is a good benchmark measure, and for an unknown reason, appears to work well, better than the real thing. I knew about the SCS five years ago, but it took close to two years ago, to make the move, due to the failure of epidurals, and how active I am. I had something "slip" with a great degree of pain as I played in a tennis match. It depends on who the pain management doctor or the neurosurgeon recommends to you. The SCS have come along way from he first seminar I attended in 2019. You shouldn't be in pain, go for it. there is six weeks of down time. I have no knowledge about the Lead Wires or the Paddles the other companies use, yet I have the paddles implanted to allow efficient pain relief. Good Luck, and let us know what you do and how you are.