Benefits and Risks – Neurostimulators

Neurostimulation may reduce your chronic pain and improve your ability to go about your daily activities. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks associated with using a neurostimulator for your chronic pain.

Many people experience improvements in their pain symptoms and quality of life after receiving Medtronic neurostimulation therapy. Benefits may include:

Significant and sustained reduction in chronic pain¹
Improved ability to function and participate in activities of daily living¹
Less oral pain medications²
Safe and effective
Proven safe and effective when used as directed
Tested in studies worldwide³
Reversible and non-destructive – the therapy can be turned off or surgically removed

In addition, this treatment:

Can be adjusted to provide different levels of stimulation for various activities and times of day
Lets you try the therapy for a short period of time before you receive a permanent implant

Neurostimulation Risks

The neurostimulation implant is surgically placed under the skin. Surgical complications are possible and may include infection, pain at the site of surgery, and bleeding into the epidural space. Once the neurostimulation system is implanted, device complications may occur and include corrective surgery, jolting, lead breaking, and movement of the lead within the epidural space which may require reprogramming or surgical replacement of the leads. These events may result in uncomfortable stimulation or loss of therapy.

See Important Safety Information for more details.

References

Kumar K, Taylor RS, Jacques L, et al. Spinal cord stimulation versus conventional medical management for neuropathic pain: a multicentre randomized controlled trial in patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Pain. 2007;132:179-188.
Ohnmeiss DD, Rashbaum RF, Bogdanffy GM. Prospective outcome evaluation of spinal cord stimulation in patients with intractable leg pain. Spine. 1996;21:1344-1350.
Manchikanti L, Boswell MV, Datta S, et al. Comprehensive review of therapeutic interventions in managing chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician. Jul-Aug 2009;12(4):E123-198.

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Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Last updated: 18 Feb 2013