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Spinal cord stimulation
Frequently Asked Questions
Most major insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid cover spinal cord stimulation for appropriate diagnoses. Prior authorization is required. Our team will help manage that process with you.
The temporary leads are simply removed in the office. There's no permanent change to your body and no obligation to proceed. We'll continue working with you to find other options.
Older systems often produced a noticeable tingling. Newer devices have improved significantly — many patients feel little to nothing from the stimulation itself while still getting meaningful relief. Settings can be adjusted to minimize any sensation you find uncomfortable.
Many modern devices are MRI-conditional, meaning MRIs may be possible under specific conditions. This varies by device. Dr. Savu will discuss this based on the specific device being considered for you.
For the first four to six weeks, avoid bending, twisting, and heavy lifting while the incision heals and the leads settle. After that, most patients return to normal activity. High-impact activities may require a conversation with Dr. Savu.
Contact the office if you develop fever, increasing redness or drainage at any incision site, or sudden changes in stimulation. If you experience loss of bladder or bowel control, go to the emergency room immediately.
ABOUT THIS PROCEDURE
Procedure Time: Multiple Visits Required
Driver Required; Yes, For all Procedure visits
Total Visit Time: 1-3 Hours Per Visit
Spinal cord stimulation — often called SCS — is for people who have been living with chronic pain for a long time and haven't gotten enough relief from other options. It's not a first step. It's what we talk about when injections, physical therapy, and possibly surgery have already been tried and you're still struggling.
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A small device placed near your spinal cord delivers gentle, continuous electrical pulses that interfere with pain signals traveling to your brain — essentially interrupting them before they fully register. Think of it like noise-canceling headphones for your nervous system. The source of the problem hasn't changed, but your brain stops receiving the signal the same way.
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What makes this procedure different from most is that you get to try it before committing to anything permanent. A trial period — typically one to two weeks — lets you live with a temporary system and see how much relief you get in real life. If the trial works well, a permanent device can be implanted in a minor outpatient procedure. It's adjustable, it's reversible, and you are not locked in.
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This is one of the more significant procedures we offer and requires careful evaluation. Dr. Savu will walk you through the entire process in detail before any decisions are made.
Benefits
Provides meaningful relief for patients who haven't responded to other treatments
Trial period lets you experience results before any permanent commitment
Adjustable — settings can be modified to match your needs over time
Reversible — the device can be removed if needed
Reduces reliance on daily pain medication for many patients
Covered by most major insurance plans for appropriate candidates
What to Expect
1
Evaluation & Approval
Dr. Savu will review your full history, prior treatments, and imaging. A psychological evaluation is typically required by insurance — this is standard practice, not a reflection on your pain being real. Insurance prior authorization is also required before proceeding.
2
Trial Lead Placement
Temporary leads are placed near the spinal cord under X-ray guidance. You'll be awake to help confirm optimal positioning. The leads connect to a small external stimulator you wear clipped to your clothing. You go home the same day.
3
Trial period at home
Over one to two weeks you'll use the trial system in your everyday life and track your pain levels. A reduction of 50% or more in pain is generally considered a successful trial and indicates permanent implantation is appropriate.
4
Permanent implant
If the trial is successful, the permanent device is placed in a minor outpatient procedure. A small pulse generator — about the size of a silver dollar — is implanted under the skin, typically in the upper buttock or abdomen. Recovery involves a few weeks of activity restriction while the incision heals.
5
programming & adjustments
After implant the device is programmed to your specific pain pattern. Settings can be adjusted over time as your needs change. Most patients work with the care team in the weeks following implant to get the settings dialed in.
This procedure may be right for you if you have:
Chronic back or leg pain that hasn't responded adequately to injections, physical therapy, or surgery
Failed back surgery syndrome — ongoing pain after spine surgery
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Persistent neuropathic pain that is significantly affecting your daily life and function
Already exhausted reasonable conservative treatment options without adequate relief