Anyone had a spinal cord stimulator removal?

Posted by calofmichigan @calofmichigan, Feb 8 2:44pm

Has anyone had their spinal cord stimulator removed?
For what reason?
How long did you have it in?
What was recovery like after removal?

I had my SCS (Boston Scientific) placed December 15, 2025. At the two- week follow up, severe back spasms along the leads (not paddles) created a hard painful ridge of muscle. They adjusted the settings twice.

Finally I just turned the battery off with some relief but I am still left with serious muscle spasms along the leads. I cannot walk or stand for more than 5 minutes without debilitating pain.

I’m on all the normal medications: narcotics which merely take the edge off, two different muscle relaxants, and gabapentin. I only get complete relief from lying down.

Finally I asked the surgeon to remove the hardware which he is willing to do, probably occurring in the next month.

If you’ve had your hardware removed, when did you start feeling better?? What was recovery like?

Thank you.
Christine

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

ginnyjm | @ginnyjm | Apr 21 7:23am

I had my Boston Scientific SCS in 9/2021. It didn’t help my back pain, so had a “leads revision” in 4/2022. That didn’t help then had MANY program changes that didn’t help. I got very tired of having an object in my body that didn't do anything except still needing to be charged! My new pain dr advised me to have it removed, so my surgeon agreed to do that in 2/2024 - removed stimulator, leads & battery. I think it was only a couple of days recovery. I hope this helps with your decision!

calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Apr 21 8:12am

In reply to @ginnyjm "I had my Boston Scientific SCS in 9/2021. It didn’t help my back pain, so had..." + (show)

@ginnyjm
Thank you, Ginny. I did have it removed and, while I’m not pain free, I really enjoy the feeling of not having all those wires and especially the painful battery in my back. I also like the fact that future MRIs are no longer prohibited. I’m working hard at physical therapy and am hoping in a few more months I’ll be tip-top. Thank you for your kind response.

dkcasey | @dkcasey | Apr 21 12:21pm

Nerves were disrupted during removal. Sent to pain management. Pain management said they could try a steroid injection but not much that can be done.

lisa619 | @lisa619 | 5 days ago

Had anyone had their spinal stimulator removed and if so how long does the surgery take and do you go home the same day?

zekeman1947 | @zekeman1947 | 4 days ago

In reply to @lisa619 "Had anyone had their spinal stimulator removed and if so how long does the surgery take..." + (show)

Surgery to remove Reactiv8 was maybe 30 seconds on outpatient basis. No big deal.

zekeman1947 | @zekeman1947 | 4 days ago

In reply to @lisa619 "Had anyone had their spinal stimulator removed and if so how long does the surgery take..." + (show)

Sorry, 30 minutes

lisa619 | @lisa619 | 4 days ago

In reply to @zekeman1947 "Surgery to remove Reactiv8 was maybe 30 seconds on outpatient basis. No big deal." + (show)

@zekeman1947 thank you

heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | 4 days ago

In reply to @lisa619 "Had anyone had their spinal stimulator removed and if so how long does the surgery take..." + (show)

I had my SCS removed about two years ago. It was pretty straight forward. With the prep work and other stuff, no more than an hour, if that.

lisa619 | @lisa619 | 4 days ago

In reply to @heisenberg34 "I had my SCS removed about two years ago. It was pretty straight forward. With the..." + (show)

@heisenberg34 thank you so much

susiesmith | @susiesmith | 3 days ago

In reply to @lisa619 "Had anyone had their spinal stimulator removed and if so how long does the surgery take..." + (show)

My pain management doctor wants to implant a stimulator but said if it doesn't improve my condition that he will not remove it but will just cut the wires. I was horrified. I know they do a 10-day or so initial, but I do not want it to be permanently there if it goes bad. Has anyone else had this happen? Should I look for another pain management doctor?