Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulators: Intellis

I did the SPRINT PNS in my leg for a crushed femur for 60 days. Its made pain worse. Im back in PT. Other than ha e a stimulator in my back. I. House to use my tens unit when I need it. Ive heard too much a out they dont help. Ive had 2 back surgeries.. I hate pain meds. I am a caregiver and do all the driving. I try to rest more. Not over do. Keeps pain level at bay.

I think that they are more of a last resort than anything else. There ought to be some way to tell if you are a good candidate for one of those other than to FAFO! My 3rd pain doc doesn't seem to think I would be a good candidate so I will refer to his expertise.

Good morning,
Wow do I know what you're going through, sounds like me years ago
I've had 8 spine surgeries, most helped, but as I got older, the less it helped.
BUT, I've had 2 different brands of spinal implants and they do help, just don't damage your spine again and again like I did and I believe you will get some relief.

AND, they do a trial to test if it helps without actually implanting the device. It is certainly worth the trial to see if you can get 50% relief. If yes, then they will actually implant under your skin.

There's 2 main brands: Medtronic and Nevro. Nevro worked best for me.

Don't give up hope, and attack your PT every day, not just do it, ATTACK it and it will help you the rest of your life!!

Good luck and good therapy!

@ericanelson02 I can understand your hesitancy to let someone cut into your back. I had a Medtronic SCS implanted back in 2018 after a successful trial. The trial dropped my pain by about 80%. The permanent implant reduced the pain by about 50%. Along with pain meds, I was back to almost normal, able to get on my bike and start riding 30 to 50 miles on my bike each week. Unfortunately, it stopped working in 2021. The consensus was that the paddle lead had shorted out. No real explanation. The trial is minimally invasive. It should give you some ides as to how well the device will help you. With that said, I have seen quite a few people on this site who have experienced no relief from their SCS. Good luck on your pain journey.

@heisenberg34 I guess I won't know until I go for the trial. I should say that I currently have a Medtronics Bladder Stimulator. I don't feel like Medtronics equipment is well-explained nor functioned at optimal capacity because, as the patient, all I got was a phone with this thing and a little talk. I've now had this stimulator since 2022 and I still can't tell you how to effectively use the Samsung phone that comes with it. So, I'm leery on their products but I think my Pain Specialist only uses Medtronics. I'd have to question if they could use Nevro, as someone posted on my forum. Thanks for the well wishes! What are you doing now for pain control? Did you get the SCS removed since it's malfunctioned?

@frodo777 Good Day! Thank you for the well wishes. I wish you well on your healing journey. LORD, have mercy on us! 8 spine surgeries...they want to do another spine surgery on my lower, lower lumbar area to help with the stenosis but I have some precautions due to the first major lumbar spine surgery ended up failing me. I'm in pain every single day of my life but I'm grateful to be alive and do not wish to die! I'm just saying, it gets rough! What are you doing now to manage your pain? Did you get Nevro removed? Why do you choose Nevro over Medtronic?

I have a Medtronic Bladder Stimulator and all I can say is, blah! In other words, I have a Samsung phone that goes alongside my device, to change the settings, but none of the settings have any details. You just basically are going in blind, choosing a setting you think may work for you without even having a guide. Medtronics does a poor job of educating patients on their products. I've called them a few times and their explanations were vague and not helpful. I think my Pain Specialist only installs (implants) Medtronics' devices. I guess I'd have to find another Pain Specialist, but that can be frustrating and misconstrued because they may think I'm Doctor Shopping when I'm not, I'm trying to have a better life.

@bajjerfan My Spine Doc seems to think that it would give me relief, but again, they only implant Medtronics. I already have a Medtronics device implanted for my bladder; it comes with a Samsung phone that has 1 app to access to change it's settings....you (I) never know which to choose, there's no rubric & Medtronics isn't helpful in helping me navigate the device that they invented...Wishing you well...Is your current pain treatment plan working for you that you'd completely nix the idea of getting a SCS?

@ammaw52 I'm wishing you better health on this healing journey and I'm glad you've found a way to channel pain. I've had (1) lumbar spine surgery and need another one; this SCS is thought to somehow delay me from having to have the surgery. However, spinal stenosis is a KICKER!!! I think my issues stem more from it than any other debilitating condition that I have, like MS. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to rest because of pain. My pain medicines are starting to decrease in actually stopping my pain; I guess my system has become immune so I'm thinking it's now time, again, to recalibrate, possibly start a different pain regimen? (The ? is for me, overthinking) PT seems to make things worse. How's PT working for you? What's your next step? I thought that when you have a SCS, you can't use Tens Unit??

@ericanelson02

TBH I don't have a plan. Next step is another MRI and then one more epidural. If no relief I might be referred to another specialist for a procedure called Intercept which is a type of ablation. If that falls through then maybe treatment for Cluneal nerve.

Anyone had the Intercept procedure? Were there hassles with insurance coverage?
https://www.google.com/search
AI Overview Yes, Medicare covers the Intracept procedure (intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation) when strict medical necessity criteria are met.Coverage is governed by regional Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) issued by your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). To qualify for coverage, you must meet all of the following requirements:Pain Duration & Severity: You have experienced chronic low back pain for at least 6 months, and it primarily affects the lower back.Failed Conservative Care: You must have documented failure of at least 3 different non-surgical treatments over a minimum of 6 months (e.g., physical therapy, chiropractic care, prescription medications, or injections).MRI Confirmation: An MRI must show specific changes (Modic Type 1 or Type 2 changes) in the vertebrae located between L3 and S1.Exclusion of Other Causes: Your pain cannot be explained by other structural spinal issues like severe spinal stenosis, tumors, or recent fractures.Additionally, Medicare enforces strict limits on how often the procedure can be performed. It is covered only once per vertebral body per lifetime, with a maximum of 4 vertebral bodies treated in total, and no more than 2 levels treated in a single session.Before proceeding, you should speak with your pain management specialist to ensure all clinical notes, MRI results, and conservative treatment records are properly documented to meet CMS Local Coverage Determinations.
https://www.google.com/search
Cluneal nerve entrapment (or cluneal neuralgia) is treated with a multimodal approach. Treatment typically progresses from conservative physical and medical therapies to minimally invasive procedures and, if necessary, surgery.1. Conservative Treatments (First Line)Physical Therapy: Focuses on myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, and stretching. It aims to correct poor posture, strengthen the core and lower back, and reduce tension in the thoracolumbar junction.Medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen) help reduce localized inflammation. Neuropathic pain agents (like gabapentin or pregabalin) may be prescribed to calm irritated nerves.2. Minimally Invasive InterventionsDiagnostic & Therapeutic Nerve Blocks: Injections containing local anesthetics and corticosteroids are placed around the nerve (often under ultrasound guidance) to simultaneously confirm the diagnosis and provide relief.Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Uses thermal energy to temporarily disrupt the sensory pain signals from the cluneal nerves, providing longer-lasting relief.Neuromodulation: Wireless peripheral nerve stimulation may be used to block pain signals before they reach the brain.3. Surgical OptionsNerve Decompression: If conservative and interventional methods fail, surgical release (or minimally invasive endoscopic decompression) can free the nerve from surrounding scarred or tight tissues.Nerve Disconnection: In certain cases, a specialized spinal or peripheral nerve surgeon may sever the small, purely sensory cluneal branches to permanently disable the pain pathway.

@ericanelson02 When my Medtronic SCS stopped working, they swapped the battery out for a NEVRO unit. It did not help. Also, they had to use an adapter to hook up the NEVRO to the Medtronic unit. That made it incompatible for an MRI. Eventually I had everything removed. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.