Adverse Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a medical technique used since the late 1960s to alleviate chronic pain. This is a type of pain that persists, does not improve and in some cases may prevent patients from leading normal lives. According to NeurosurgeryToday.org, approximately 50,000 devices are implanted globally every year. This medical procedure is approved by the United States FDA to treat chronic pain in your back, legs or arms; but, like any other medical procedure, SCS is not without risk of side effects.

Facts

• Three types of spinal cord stimulators are approved by the FDA. Conventional systems are low-maintenance for patients but require a minor surgery to replace the device's power source. Radiofrequency systems have high-power capabilities and are designed to complex cases. Newer SCS systems are rechargeable, requiring the patient to monitor the device's power source and recharge it when necessary.

Surgery

• A permanent device implanted requires surgery under general anesthesia. Patients are usually able to return home on the same day but may be required to stay one night in the hospital for monitoring.

  Potential adverse surgical reactions include leakage of spinal fluid, infection, headache, bleeding, allergic reaction and paralysis.

Device Adverse Effects

• Spinal cord stimulators use electric impulses and magnets to alleviate pain. Potential adverse reactions specific to the SCS device include over-stimulation, stimulation occurring in the wrong spot, intermittent stimulation, damage occurring to the lead (or movement of the lead), which requires further surgery to reposition the lead and a poor connection.

  In addition, you may experience changes in the tissue around the electrodes, such as scarring, that changes stimulation, spinal cord compression, paralysis, unpleasant sensations, battery leakage, battery failure, allergic reaction or rejection of the implanted material, ongoing pain around the electrode and weakness/numbness.

Avoiding Additional Adverse Reactions

• Avoid driving or operating heavy equipment while your stimulator is activated. Changing your posture or moving abruptly can result in over-stimulation, which will give you a jolt and could make you lose control of your equipment or car.
  Be aware that your SCS stimulation may be temporarily increased by anti-theft devices, such as those in stores, as you walk through and you will likely set off metal detectors due to the implanted device.

  The magnet in your spinal cord stimulator controller may damage items or erase information on any objects with magnetic strips, imcluding video cassettes, computer disks or credit cards. It is best to keep the magnet 2 inches away.

Clinical Research

• A 2003 research study performed at University Hospital Maastricht in the Netherlands studied the effects of SCS in 36 patients over a six-month period. Results indicated that 64 percent of participants experienced complications, such as infection, needing a spinal-tap and headache, or adverse effects. Adverse effects that were reported included infection and technical failure of the device included dislocation of the leads, device removal, re-implantation and pain caused by the device.