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For spinal stenosis, is TENS implant better / worse than external TENS

Posted by nels0nraver @nels0nraver, Oct 3 9:23pm

1963 military related parachute failure resulted in the following diagnosis update:
L3-L4: Circumferential disc bulge which appears mildly enlarged from the prior study. Ligamentum flavum thickening and facet arthropathy may be mildly worsened. Moderate to severe central canal stenosis and right neural foraminal narrowing appears worsened from the prior study.
L4-L5: Severe disc height loss with endplate osteophytes. No central canal stenosis. Mild bilateral neural foraminal narrowing. No significant change from the 2019 study.
L5-S1: Right laminectomy with bilateral facet arthropathy and small right paracentral disc extrusion. No change from the prior study. No significant central canal stenosis or neural foraminal narrowing
Worsened circumferential disc bulge and bilateral facet arthropathy with new or worsened ligamentum flavum thickening. This were also results in new moderate to severe central canal stenosis and right neural foraminal narrowing. The exam is limited by metallic artifact.
Question is an internal antable neurostimulator better than external TENS w/pads?

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Oct 4 9:11am

A TENS unit may help minor aches and pains, but it is not for severe pain, like neuropathy. An implanted spinal cord stimulator has a lead/paddle that is put in the space next to your spinal cord. The battery is implanted somewhere in the buttock or lower back. The device sends out specific electrical impulses that help block the pain signals. It can be vey effective in relieving pain. I had a Medtronics SCS implanted back in 2018. It worked quite well in relieving my pain. Then, in 2021, it just stopped working. There was thought that either the paddle lead has shorted out or it had moved. I had all the old hardware removed back in May of this year. I will be going for a trial of a new, improved SCS by Boston Scientific in two weeks. That's the plus side of the device... you can do a trial before you decide to do the permanent implant. Hope that helps.

REPLY
2 replies
nels0nraver | @nels0nraver | Oct 4 9:20am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "A TENS unit may help minor aches and pains, but it is not for severe pain,..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

A TENS unit may help minor aches and pains, but it is not for severe pain, like neuropathy. An implanted spinal cord stimulator has a lead/paddle that is put in the space next to your spinal cord. The battery is implanted somewhere in the buttock or lower back. The device sends out specific electrical impulses that help block the pain signals. It can be vey effective in relieving pain. I had a Medtronics SCS implanted back in 2018. It worked quite well in relieving my pain. Then, in 2021, it just stopped working. There was thought that either the paddle lead has shorted out or it had moved. I had all the old hardware removed back in May of this year. I will be going for a trial of a new, improved SCS by Boston Scientific in two weeks. That's the plus side of the device... you can do a trial before you decide to do the permanent implant. Hope that helps.

Jump to this post

Thanks! My spinal stenosis is moderate to severe and is progressive resulting from damage to the vertebrates. A SCS implant now may not be effective later. For now, the external TENS seems the best option

REPLY
1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Oct 4 9:37am
In reply to @nels0nraver "Thanks! My spinal stenosis is moderate to severe and is progressive resulting from damage to the..." + (show)
@nels0nraver

Thanks! My spinal stenosis is moderate to severe and is progressive resulting from damage to the vertebrates. A SCS implant now may not be effective later. For now, the external TENS seems the best option

Jump to this post

Good luck to you. If the TENS unit doesn't give you much help, consider the SCS. most patients will have good pain relef for years. Trying to find pain relif can be a daunting task.

REPLY
ginnyjm | @ginnyjm | Oct 5 7:31am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "A TENS unit may help minor aches and pains, but it is not for severe pain,..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

A TENS unit may help minor aches and pains, but it is not for severe pain, like neuropathy. An implanted spinal cord stimulator has a lead/paddle that is put in the space next to your spinal cord. The battery is implanted somewhere in the buttock or lower back. The device sends out specific electrical impulses that help block the pain signals. It can be vey effective in relieving pain. I had a Medtronics SCS implanted back in 2018. It worked quite well in relieving my pain. Then, in 2021, it just stopped working. There was thought that either the paddle lead has shorted out or it had moved. I had all the old hardware removed back in May of this year. I will be going for a trial of a new, improved SCS by Boston Scientific in two weeks. That's the plus side of the device... you can do a trial before you decide to do the permanent implant. Hope that helps.

Jump to this post

I had the Boston Scientific trial that worked well, but the actual implant didn’t. I had it removed Feb 2024. I know it’s worked great for some, just not for me. Do your research, pray & make a decision best for you. Let us know!

REPLY
1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Oct 5 8:16am
In reply to @ginnyjm "I had the Boston Scientific trial that worked well, but the actual implant didn’t. I had..." + (show)
@ginnyjm

I had the Boston Scientific trial that worked well, but the actual implant didn’t. I had it removed Feb 2024. I know it’s worked great for some, just not for me. Do your research, pray & make a decision best for you. Let us know!

Jump to this post

Sorry that the permanent implant wasn't successful for you. I'm going for the trial in eleven days. Will post my results after the trial and whether or not I'm going for the permanent implant. Thanks for your reply.

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