The spinal cord stimulator is a medical device that relieves back, leg, and arm pain by masking pain signals sent from the nerves in your spine.

After the stimulator is implanted and activated, it sends a mild electric current to the specific nerves that are responsible for your pain.

The electric current blocks or masks the nerve signals so your brain doesn’t receive the communication that the nerves are in pain. As a result, you won’t feel pain even though the source of the pain is still there.

Dr. Slavin may recommend spinal cord stimulation to relieve chronic spine pain caused by a number of conditions, including:



• Herniated disc
• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica
• Narrowed spinal canal (spinal stenosis)
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Complex regional pain syndrome

Whether your pain developed gradually over the years or you suffered an acute injury that led to chronic pain, a spinal cord stimulator may finally provide some pain relief.

The spinal cord stimulator includes three components: a handheld remote controller, a small pulse generator, and a lead wire with eight to 32 electrodes that deliver the electrical current.

Dr. Slavin implants the generator under your skin, runs the lead wire through the space surrounding your spine, and places the electrodes near the nerves that cause your pain.

After your procedure, you use the remote control to adjust the settings and turn the generator on and off.

The spinal cord stimulator includes three components: a handheld remote controller, a small pulse generator, and a lead wire with eight to 32 electrodes that deliver the electrical current.

Dr. Slavin implants the generator under your skin, runs the lead wire through the space surrounding your spine, and places the electrodes near the nerves that cause your pain.

After your procedure, you use the remote control to adjust the settings and turn the generator on and off.

You may be a good candidate if you’ve had severe pain for at least three months, your trial was successful, and conservative treatment has failed to relieve your pain. Dr. Slavin will also review your medical history to be sure you don’t have an issue that may prevent implantation surgery.