Comparison of Spinal Cord Stimulators from Boston Sci., Nevro

Hello @kenc and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Welcome to the discussion. We have another new member @bigm and have called in members @elsa @wales @lifetimepain to see if they can join and share some suggestions based on their experiences.

Has a SCS been recommended for you?

Yes, I had the Nevro device implanted last October. I had to have it re-programmed because there are many, MANY different programs that can be utilized, and now I have about 50% of the pain. I consider it a win. One minor inconvenience is having to charge it for approx 30 minutes per day. I sit in a recliner and place a (coaster-size) rubber paddle on top of the implant and just lay back. Its location is where your bum meets your back. You can choose left or right side. All-in-all, I would say yes, Nevro works.

Husband had Abbott/St. Jude Proclaim, but his was not a good experience. The trial seemed to help so his pain doctor implanted the device in Nov. 2019. No matter how they programmed it, it did not seem to help. Summer of 2020, his pain got intense and the implant was taken out in November 2020. The leads were out of place and out of their silicone sheaths. The generator was out of its pocket. Pain doctor thought the problems were due to "vigorous activity." Hubby was 77 years old and in pain most of the time, so not sure what vigorous activity took place. However, a friend of ours has the same stimulator and it has changed her life. Suggestion--probably best to have neurosurgeon do any implant. We are considering the Nevro, since nothing is helping his pain. So much depends on individual bodies--one doctor remarked that my husband's body just rejected the implant--maybe it would reject all others.

What part of your body is the pain located?

My lower back. I had already had 2 surgeries there - first time was a bone fusion because I had spondylolistheses and Harrington Rods were new-ish and my surgeons were 'so excited'. That was a disaster: one rod broke in half. The next surgery roughly 10 years later, involved the doctor trying to remove the rods but they were so embedded in bone that he only got out half of one. He then added 6 screws to stabilize things. That didn't help either.

I'm very sorry to hear that the surgeries weren't successful. Perhaps the SCS trial will be helpful to reduce or eliminate the pain. My major problem is pain in my toes from two failed surgeries.

Have any of these devices been used for post colorectal surgery persistent pain?

@kenc the majority of members in this discussion are sharing about this in reference to spine pain, however, I did do a quick search to see if I could find anything on a SCS being used for post-colorectal surgery.

Are you considering asking your doctor if this is an option?

Yes, if it makes sense.

My husband had the Nevro spinal stimulator inserted in early August. The first few days were no fun due the normal issues, adjusting to the implanted device and dealing with the discomfort and itching from the dressing. He says it is the best! Nevro personnel were super, calling daily at first, then weekly. They have directed him in how to use the remote to make changes. He only makes changes with the representative on the phone. He highly reccomends it to friends with back issues.