Spinal Cord Stimulation

More than 50 million adults suffer from chronic pain, but fortunately, you don’t have to live in a constant state of discomfort. At Arora Pain Clinic in Torrance, California, board-certified pain management specialist Ripu Arora, MD, MBA, offers spinal cord stimulation to ease ongoing pain and provide a better quality of life. Schedule an appointment at the South Bay office by phone or online today to take advantage of spinal cord stimulation. 

What is spinal cord stimulation?

Spinal cord stimulation is a pain-reducing treatment for chronic discomfort that hasn't responded to other therapies. It uses electrical impulses to lessen pain affecting your back, legs, arms, or other areas. Spinal cord stimulation works by preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. It’s particularly useful for individuals with nerve-related pain. 

Which conditions can spinal cord stimulation help treat?

Spinal cord stimulators can treat the following conditions and more:

• Back pain
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Post-surgery discomfort
• Arachnoiditis
• Spinal cord injuries
• Heart pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Nerve pain
• Perineal pain
• Visceral abdominal pain

This type of treatment can help you sleep better, optimize musculoskeletal function, and live your best life pain-free. It may reduce the need to take addictive pain medicines. 

Am I a candidate for spinal cord stimulation?

Dr. Arora completes physical and neurological exams to determine if spinal cord stimulation is right for you. He also orders imaging tests and reviews your medical history, lifestyle, symptoms, past treatments, and preferences.

If you’ve tried other treatments that haven't relieved ongoing discomfort and you don’t have a condition that decreases the effectiveness of the procedure, spinal cord stimulation may be the solution for you.

What should I expect during spinal cord stimulator implantation?

The first step in the process involves a trial implantation, which is a minor surgical procedure. Dr. Arora numbs the treatment area and inserts wire leads into your back that deliver electrical impulses and determine if stimulation effectively reduces your pain. The leads attach to a trial stimulator device. You can use it for a week to determine its effectiveness.

If the spinal cord stimulator trial goes well, you can undergo permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation. You receive sedation or general anesthesia before completing this procedure.

Dr. Arora removes the temporary leads, replacing them with permanent leads. He places an implantable pulse generator under the skin in your abdomen or buttocks. You can control spinal cord stimulation using a wireless programmer that alters the strength of electrical pulses to better alleviate discomfort. Dr. Arora follows up over time to ensure long-lasting relief.

Schedule a spinal cord stimulation evaluation at Arora Pain Clinic by phone or online today to determine if this treatment is right for you.