脊髓刺激

These impulses are generated by a small device that is implanted under your skin. The stimulation to the spinal cord is delivered from the device through insulated wires 叫领导, 哪些位于脊髓附近. 使用像遥控器一样的手持设备, you can adjust the stimulator to specific areas and levels of pain, depending on your activities and how your pain changes during the day.

Spinal cord stimulation can be used to treat patients with severe, 由各种情况引起的慢性疼痛, 包括失败的背部手术/蛛网膜炎, neuropathic pain/neuropathy and complex regional pain syndrome/reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Every patient experiences different pain relief from spinal cord stimulation, though most successful cases have a 50 to 70 percent decrease in pain. This may help you return to a more active lifestyle and reduce your use of pain medications.

准备

There are two stages involved in the spinal cord stimulator procedure. 第一阶段是试验阶段, during which the leads are temporarily placed via needles to test the effectiveness of the device and whether you are comfortable with the tingling sensation it delivers. 这是门诊手术, and you will test the implant for approximately one week at home in your normal surroundings.

如果你对刺激物有积极的体验, we will perform a second procedure to permanently implant the device. This is a minor surgical procedure most often done as outpatient surgery, although your doctor may decide to have you stay overnight in the hospital, 这取决于你的个人情况.

为这两个程序做准备:

• Please arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure, as you will not be able to drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure, except for a small amount of water if needed to take medications on the day of the procedure.
• 如果你有 糖尿病 and use insulin, you must adjust the dosage of insulin the day of the procedure. Consult the doctor who manages your insulin or 糖尿病 medication for any necessary adjustments. Bring your 糖尿病 medication with you, so you can take it after the procedure.
• If you take any blood-thinning medications or antiplatelet medications, these must be stopped with the permission of your doctor who manages these medications.
• Continue to take all other medications with a small sip of water. Bring all medications with you so you can take them after the procedure. It is important to note that you must not stop taking any medication without first consulting with your primary or referring doctor.

过程

在植入试验装置期间, you will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area and mild sedation to keep you relaxed. 绝缘电线, 叫领导, 是通过针头小心地插入硬膜外腔的吗, 哪个与脊柱相邻. The wires are then connected to a stimulator that remains outside your body for the duration of the trial. The leads are easily removed through the skin at the end of the trial, with almost no discomfort.

If the device is successful at reducing your pain and you are comfortable with the tingling sensation it delivers, 然后你要做一个永久性植入手术. 这与审判程序非常相似. 然而, a small incision in the back is needed to allow the leads to be placed underneath the skin, and another small incision is needed for the stimulator to be implanted permanently under the skin, 通常在臀部或腹部.

In most cases, the stimulator is barely visible underneath the skin. The stimulator usually has a rechargeable battery that lasts 5 to 10 years, 取决于模型和使用频率.

复苏

严重的副作用和并发症并不常见. The most common problem is pain for a few days at the site where the wires and stimulator were inserted. This is normal and your doctor can prescribe pain relief for a few days until the pain subsides. 其他并发症包括感染, 出血, 神经损伤, 脊髓损伤, 硬脑膜穿刺或撕裂, 以及钢丝的迁移或断裂.

Most people return to light levels of activity several days after the procedure. 提升, bending and twisting should be limited for up to two months to allow the leads to heal in an appropriate position without moving.