Surgery: What to Expect – Implanting the Neurostimulator

Detail - Neurostimulation

If you and your doctor decide to use a neurostimulator to treat your chronic pain, you will need surgery to implant the system. The surgery takes approximately 1 to 3 hours and may require a brief hospital stay. Talk to your doctor about the risks and recovery time for this type of surgery.

During the surgical procedure, the doctor:

Makes a small incision on your back and places the wires (the leads) that deliver the stimulation
Makes a second incision and creates a pocket of skin to hold the neurostimulator (usually in the abdomen)
Connects the leads and the neurostimulator with a small cable (the extension), which is tunneled under the skin (not all systems require extensions)

Once the leads, extension, 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.

Next: Questions and Answers

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: 3 Aug 2008