Side Effects of a Spinal Cord Stimulator

Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure typically performed to alleviate back pain, but not if the cause of the back pain is cancer. The procedure inserts electrodes along the spinal cord to artificially stimulate the nerves that lead to the painful areas. This method of pain management has been successful for many people, but, like any procedure, it carries the risk of side effects.

Side Effects from Surgery

• The implanting procedure itself has all the typical risks of any surgical procedure performed on the back, which include excessive bleeding, infection, incision pain and paralysis.

Adverse Reactions to Implant

• The implant itself can cause a few unwelcome side effects, such as damaging the skin lying on top of the implant and causing persistent pain at the implant's location. Also, sometimes the body will have an allergic reaction to the implant.

Additional Pain Awareness

• As the implant reduces the amount of pain in the back, patients may suddenly become aware of other pain that was originally masked by the back pain.

Implant Problems

• In rare cases, the implant's battery may leak or fail, and if the wire leads change position, it can reduce the amount of pain relief. The implant can also cause light paralysis, weakness and numbness below the level of the stimulator.

Other Electrical System Effects

• Implants can be affected by or affect other medical electrical systems, including pacemakers, defibrillators, MRI machines, ultrasound equipment, and radiation therapy equipment. They can also be affected by or affect nonmedical systems such as theft detectors, security systems and even aircraft communication systems.