Surgery: What to Expect – Implanting the Neurostimulator

Detail - Neurostimulation

After your screening test you will talk with your doctor about your results. If you and your doctor decide to use a neurostimulator to treat your chronic pain, you will need a surgery to implant the system. This procedure is most often performed in a hospital or surgery center on an outpatient basis. You may even be able to return home on the same day as your procedure. However, some people stay overnight.

During the surgical procedure, the doctor:

Makes a small incision (about 2 to 4 inches long) on your back and uses a needle to place the leads (medical wires) that deliver the stimulation into the epidural space of your spinal cord
Makes a second incision (also about 2 to 4 inches long) and creates a pocket under the skin that is large enough to hold the neurostimulator
Connects the leads to the neurostimulator

Once the leads and neurostimulator are in position, the doctor closes the incisions and completes the surgery. The length of your hospital stay will vary depending on your doctor’s preference and hospital procedures.

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, leads breaking, and movement of the leads 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.

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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: 7 Feb 2011