This story reflects the experience of one individual who is receiving a Medtronic Pain Therapy for the treatment of chronic pain. Medtronic invited this person to share her story candidly. As you read it, please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to this particular individual. Not everyone who receives neurostimulation therapy will receive the same results as the individual in this story. Talk with your doctor to determine if neurostimulation therapy is right for you.

Wendy’s Story

Living With Pain

In 1996, Wendy was 26 years old. She was passionate about rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, and skiing. “I was constantly moving,” Wendy recalls.

Then came the accident. While downhill skiing, Wendy took a bad fall, fracturing her left ankle. The fracture developed into neuroma and led to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Each day, Wendy endured throbbing pain in her ankle. She could no longer walk easily. Anxiety and depression set in. Headaches and sleeplessness followed. Her job and college classes suffered.

“The pain turned me from a very outward person to a very inward person,” she says. “I felt hopeless, helpless, and scared that this was how the rest of my life would be.”

Wendy’s healthcare team tried a number of different therapies to relieve the pain, including medications, surgery, acupressure, spinal blocks, cortisone, and a TENS unit.

“Nothing worked,” Wendy says. “I was concerned about becoming dependent on the pain pills. More than anything, I wanted to function like a normal, healthy person.”

What Neurostimulation Can Do

Wendy was referred to a pain-management specialist who told her about neurostimulation for chronic pain. The first step to determine if the therapy would work for Wendy was an outpatient screening test. Wendy was equipped with a temporary, external neurostimulator for 7 days.

“The screening test was like an unbelievable ray of sunshine,” Wendy says. “I got home in the afternoon, and that night I took just one pain pill. The next morning I got out of bed and started walking and it didn’t hurt! It was the first time in years!”

Days later, in August 2003, Wendy had surgery to implant the neurostimulator.

Risks of Neurostimulation

Although Wendy did not experience any surgical complications, they 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 lead. These events may result in uncomfortable stimulation or loss of therapy.

Enjoying Life Again

Since the procedure, Wendy has begun regaining elements of her active lifestyle. She sleeps at night. She visits with friends. She has finished school and has a job. She goes hiking and biking.

“There are some things – like skiing – that I may not be able to do again because the injury to the ankle may never be fully healed,” Wendy explains. “But neurostimulation gives me 80% relief of my pain.”

Due to Wendy's high-power demand (she keeps the device on all day long, every day), she has had to replace the device twice, which required surgery. The first time was in 2004, and in 2005 she received a rechargeable device.

“It’s amazing how much my sense of humor has returned,” Wendy continues. “It’s great to know that there are ways to lessen my pain.”

Next: Jaclyn's Story

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