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

This is possibly iteration of the "Sciatic" nerve. It always comes to electrode placement with a SCS. They insert electrodes at a location based upon charts & experience. It's out patient surgery and two days of discomfort. When during the trial of 5-6 days, be honest with your evaluation of 60-70% relief or not. Ask questions as I NOW have many if doing mine again. Can the electrodes be removed? Can an engineer from this device manufacture visit in clinic to make adjustments? Does the device rep provide OR services such as slightly awaken and asked where they feel a signal? Does it reach your area of pain? There are videos today I never thought about yet wish I knew. Some or many do not wake you in OR to ask for a signal location feedback, as otherwise they are guessing. Why go thru it and have them all get paid and you get no relief! I didn't, so now researching a different company in my area. After 3 tries, they closed the books on me, cashed their checks, kicked me to the curb, sent a "Dear John" email telling they are done. Best of luck! I am still looking as we are 4th of July, 2024.
Still using a cane, can't do repairs, mowing is extremely painful with many breaks. I have to sit to get pain to stop! Sucks bad. I am a working guy who doesn't want to be a sitting guy! Good luck.

A high frequency with the SCS doesn’t mean results. Also, please contact your rep, for further testing. I met with them 5-6 times, a location that is at the Pain Management Office.
The beauty with the SCS is to have it on 24/7 to combat the pain.
I play sports 3-5 hours per day, and I have no discomfort. Contact the SCS Rep.

After a failed spinal fusion L5-S1 in 2014, I have consulted with other neurosurgeons, pain management doctors, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. I am very active, and play sports at the age 69, 3-5
Hours per day 5-7 days a week.
I had spinal stenosis, DDD, scoliosis, and spondylitis.
Regarding the SCS, I attended a SCS seminar in 2019. I listened, but it wasn’t for me. In 2022, a disc slipped while playing a tennis match. ER, X-rays, and back to square 1, with epidurals. Due to the scoliosis, they didn’t work.
I decided in December 2023 to try the trial. It appeared to work. Interviewed three neurosurgeons, one not entirely a NS, and chose the one that has done hundreds. He is a pleasant man, and genuinely cares for his patients. A new Abbott device was implanted, but it was too large for my body size. Five months later, a smaller unit was implanted, and I don’t have the morning pain, and play tennis up to three hours, in addition to pickleball, weights, bike, walk and hike. One size does not fit all: you need to work with your rep to reprogram the device to stop the pain. Also, have the paddles and not the lead wires. The pain efficiently ebbs away with the paddle. The downtime is more, but worth it.
Good luck.

I have followed the same lumbar procedures you have had, except the spacer. Having strained my low back over a 5hr period in 1986, the surgeon told that muscles were now scar tissue. Torn cells by trauma, over use, heavy lifting as everybody who has lumbar pain gets bad burning that never goes away.
I had 1 1/2 day of relief from pain with an epidural. It came right back. Now, to your question; "Should I get a Spinal Cord Stimulator?" Yes, but educate yourself first to ask questions of this Dr and write it down in advance. Other words research it. I had an 83+ pain Dr and Medtronics for a device. Using YouTube, looking at "Medtronics SCS" I found 4 or 5 videos of teaching medical students or patient education. A serious note; 1 or 2 woke the patient in OR to have the device rep ask where they feel a generic signal. In other words, location of electrodes is everything. If pain is S1-L2, they are looking for your response (Good, Bad, Nothing, Etc.) They use experience, your response to the 5-6 day trial, and the anatomy chart. Since nerves are connect down, sideways to other groups, it becomes a game of "Sink my Battleship" by placement of electrodes. My Dr did not do this after the trial. The trial has electrodes implanted with controller taped to your back, walk out, go home! Mine was 60-70% relief and they proceeded with the implant 4 weeks later after insurance says yes! They did mine, turned it on, phone call a day or so later from the rep, asking how is it doing. I told him the signal was strong going down my thighs into the calf muscles into my heels. His response was "That is great!" I had to remind him that my pain was low back only, no sciatic pain. The phone call got quite. He said I will talk to the Dr. 5 months pass and they go in to remove the old electrodes and install new "Ring type w/8 contacts" install new in a different location. I got nothing on the left, right side is useless because it's 2" away from spinal nerves. Or feels like it. The emailed to tell me they nothing to offer. Good bye!
My GP had to tell me they couldn't get one out, leaving it inside. I was shocked. So, research, educate and become familiar and ask questions. Many Dr don't wake patients with an additional local, allowing the device rep to turn the device on and ask you questions. Makes sense to me. Otherwise they are just crossing their fingers and hoping they placed the electrodes in the right place. If they agree and understand why, then do it. My trial was great and they have X-Rays of location.

I agree! My trial worked great, pain down to 3-4! Had the Boston Scientific SCS put in & …… NOTHING! The Rep did many adjustments. I had another lead added. After over 2 years of this, I had everything removed. Now, I’m starting over with trying different options & a new pain specialist. But, even with doing research, you really won’t know if the implant will help.

I have read through all the posts in this thread with great interest. I am 73yo, male, and had a lumber laminectomy in Nov. 2022. My leg pain, before surgery, had gotten so bad that I could hardly walk. Surgery was successful for relieving the leg pain, and I am now able to walk again. But I was left with radiculopathy, probably stemming from some remaining compression at L4/L5/S1. I have numbness and tingling in my feet and lower legs that causes a lot of trouble with balance, to the point that I truly fear a fall. I have had steroid injections into my spine, and my pain doc has suggested I consider the SCS. But I don't have terrible pain like so many of you do. My main issue is the numbness that affects my balance. So my question is.... has anyone had the SCS help with the numbness and tingling issues? Has it helped improve your proprioception and your balance? My pain doc says it can help with that.... but I'd like to hear from people who have actually found that to be the case. If you had balance issues due to numbness, did that improve after getting the Spinal Cord Stimulator? Thank you... and best wishes to ALL! Mike

I have the Abbott SCS implanted one year ago. The test is to work with your rep, and have them program it where the numbing disappears. strong wavelengths doesn't mean better results. I have nerve damage on the right leg, and when sitting for awhile that leg goes numb. I had the rep correct the program to accommodate it. It appears better, but not with a balance problem. I would ask your doctor for referrals from other patients and Zohar their stories. I do hope others speak up for your behalf.

@vikkitennis Thank you for your kind reply. I realize that I should feel blessed that I don't deal with a lot of the "pain" that so many others deal with. I had that kind of pain before my laminectomy (L2-S1), and after the surgery it was immediately gone. For that I am grateful. But the numb feet create a problem with proprioception...which then results in balance issues. I am still able to get about, but I often use a cane to steady myself. And life with a cane is not bad, but if the SCS would help with the numb feeling, perhaps my feet would better feel the floor/ground and I wouldn't have these balance problems. It seems that the SCS would be more for PAIN issues.... but the doctor said that it could possibly help with the numbness and tingling, as well. I am so happy to hear the the SCS works for you with the numbness in your leg.... and to hear that you have no balance issues to deal with!! I realize that each of us is different and our bodies react in different ways, but I'm just trying to find the best life I can have for the time I have left. Again, many thanks! And yes, I hope any others with balance issues and the SCS will chime in! Best to all!! Mike

You’ll be required to have a test run with the stimulator to see if it helps before the surgery. Do your research - my test was good, but the implant didn’t help so had it removed 3 years later. I’ve NEVER been told or read that it helps with balance! You need another opinion on that & maybe just use a walker! Praying you get the correct answers.

I have had multiple epidurals and pain free for only 1 1/2 days. I have 4 lumbar fusions and I was directed to a pain specialist who used Medtronic's electrodes & controller. My first surgery was a simple 5-6 day trail. I had 60-70% relief. It is all about location of the electrodes. Watching YouTube I found 5 videos that either the patient or Dr. was telling the story. Now, some Dr's wake you with a local and electrodes are in, at this point the Medtronic's Technician would turn on a generic signal with patient feedback. This allows for adjustment. I like this idea of diagnosing the root cause of your leg pain. But you must ask questions and educate yourself to explain to the Dr. best practices. Otherwise they are guessing the location based upon a medical chart and past experience. Do it right the first time and you will be happier. There are dozens of brands, just ask. It is outpatient surgery with 2 days of discomfort, but remember they can stop, remove the electrodes before they implant the stimulator. God Bless!