Surgery: What to Expect – Implanting the Neurostimulator
Chronic Pain
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 places 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. Some patients do experience problems. The most frequently reported problems following the neurostimulator implant surgery include infection, lead movement, pain at the implant site, loss of therapy effect, and therapy that did not meet the patient’s expectations.
Please talk with your doctor to fully understand the risks and benefits.
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.