Chronic back pain can be debilitating and hard to manage, especially when medications, physical therapy, injections, or other treatments don’t provide sufficient relief. If you feel like you’ve tried it all, spinal cord stimulation is an advanced option that targets pain signals before they reach your brain.
Spinal cord stimulators are permanent implants, which is why most patients undergo a trial period to see if the therapy is effective for them first. At Interventional Spine & Pain Institute, we guide patients carefully through the process so they know what to expect, from preparation through recovery.
Here’s an overview of what happens during a spinal cord stimulator trial and why it can be an important step in your pain management journey.
A spinal cord stimulator is a device that manages certain types of chronic pain. A spinal cord stimulator trial is a temporary test run of this device, so you can find out how well it works for you before we implant it permanently in your body.
Not everyone responds the same way to spinal cord stimulation, so the trial period helps both you and your pain specialist determine whether the therapy significantly reduces your pain. You get to experience the therapy before making a long-term commitment, and together, we can make an informed choice about your treatment based on measurable results.
During the trial, we place thin wires called leads near your spinal cord and connect them to a small generator outside your body that delivers mild electrical pulses. These pulses interrupt pain signals traveling to your brain, often replacing pain with a pleasant tingling sensation.
We place the leads for spinal cord stimulator trials in an outpatient setting, which means you can go home as soon as the procedure is over. You lie down on the exam table, and we apply local anesthesia to numb the area where the leads will be placed.
Using imaging guidance (like fluoroscopy), we put the thin leads in place near your spinal cord where they can block your specific pain signals. Then, we connect the external stimulator and adjust the settings while you provide feedback.
You remain awake during the trial so you can describe your sensations. The goal is to adjust the settings so the stimulation covers your painful areas with comfortable tingling instead of pain. Many patients feel immediate changes, but the full benefit is often gauged over the next few days.
After we place the leads and adjust the stimulator settings, we give you instructions on how to use the small, portable controller. Then, you’re free to return home and get back to your regular activities.
Most spinal cord stimulator trials last between three and seven days. During the trial period, we ask that you:
It’s a good idea to write down your notes each day, and we may also give you questionnaires to help assess whether the therapy is working well for you. At the end of your trial, you have a follow-up appointment to review how it went.
Spinal cord stimulator trials are important because the device affects each person’s pain differently. We generally consider the trial successful if you experience a significant reduction in chronic pain (often 50% or more).
We also look at whether your ability to perform daily activities has improved, and if you feel you have a better quality of life with stimulation than without. Your honest feedback is critical; this isn’t a pass/fail test, but rather a way to determine whether a permanent implant is likely to help you long term.
If your trial is successful, we discuss moving forward with a permanent spinal cord stimulator implant. This involves placing durable leads to your spinal cord and a small generator under your skin, typically in the upper buttock or abdomen. The permanent system works similarly to the trial setup, but it's designed for long-term use.
If the trial isn’t successful, we remove the temporary leads and talk about what’s next. Depending on your situation, we may recommend adjusting your current pain management strategies or exploring other interventional options to help you find lasting relief. Either way, completing the trial gives us valuable insight that helps tailor your care.
Chronic pain doesn’t have to control your life. If you’ve tried conservative approaches without lasting improvement, a spinal cord stimulation trial might be the next step to help you determine whether this advanced therapy is right for you.
Our team at Interventional Spine and Pain Institute guides patients through every step of the process — from initial evaluation to trial, implant, and follow-up care. If you’re ready to learn more about how it works, contact us today.
