Older couple embraces at the beach.

SPINAL CORD STIMULATION
BE MORE YOU

Medtronic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy may help you get back to doing the everyday things you love most.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SCS

Important Safety Information

SEE HOW IT WORKS
SEE LIFE WITH SCS
VIEW PRODUCTS
FIND RESOURCES
WATCH STORIES


Existing patient? Find patient resources, or learn more about recharging your device or getting an MRI.

PROVEN THERAPY FOR MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a proven long-term and effective therapy for managing chronic pain.1,2 SCS disrupts pain signals traveling between the spinal cord and the brain. Learn more about the benefits of SCS, how it works, and what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.

SEE LIFE WITH SCS

POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF SCS

  • Effective pain relief of the extremities, back, and/or legs3,4
  • The power to manage your own treatment
  • Improved ability to function day-to-day5
  • More effective than repeat surgeries for pain6
  • Multiple studies have provided clinical evidence to suggest some patients treated with SCS may be able to reduce oral opioid consumption7-9

Understand the Risks

Risks include infection, lead movement, pain at the implant site, and loss of therapy effect, and the therapy may not meet patient's expectations.  Review the Neurostimulation Systems for Pain Therapy Brief Statement for additional risk and safety information.

additional resources

RECHARGING  YOUR DEVICE

Learn more about recharging your neurostimulator battery.

LEARN ABOUT RECHARGING

LEARN ABOUT

GETTING AN MRI

In the future, you may need an MRI. Learn how you can plan for it.

LEARN ABOUT MRI

FIND MORE

RESOURCES

Find FAQ, support resources, patient services, and more.

VIEW RESOURCES
1

Kumar K, Taylor RS, Jacques L, et al. The effects of spinal cord stimulation in neuropathic pain are sustained: a 24-month follow-up of the prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial of the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation. Neurosurgery. 2008;63(4):762-770. Discussion: 770.

2

Kemler MA, de Vet HC, Barendse GA, van den Wildenberg FA, van Kleef M. Effect of spinal cord stimulation for chronic complex regional pain syndrome type 1: five-year final follow-up of patients in a randomized controlled trial. J Neurosurg. 2008;108(2):292-298.

3

Medtronic Advanced pain therapy using neurostimulation for chronic pain. Clinical Summary, 2017. M221494A010 rev C.

4

Schultz D, Webster L, Kosek P, et al. Sensor-driven position-adaptive spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain. Pain Physician. 2012;15(1):1-12.

5

Kumar K, Taylor RS, Jacques L, et al. Spinal cord stimulation versus conventional medical management for neuropathic pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial in patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Pain. 2007;132(1-2):179-188.

6

North RB, Kidd D, Shipley J, Taylor RS. Spinal cord stimulation versus reoperation for failed back surgery syndrome: a cost effectiveness and cost utility analysis based on a randomized, controlled trial. Neurosurgery. 2007;61(2):361-369.

7

Gee L, Smith HC, Ghulam-Jelani Z, et al. Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Pain Reduces Opioid Use and Results in Superior Clinical Outcomes When Used Without Opioids. Neurosurgery. 2019. A non-randomized prospective cohort study of SCS patients between September 2012 and August 2015 (N=86 [n=53 on opioids]).

8

Sharan AD, Riley J, Falowski S, et al. Association of Opioid Usage with Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcomes. Pain Med. December 2018. A nonrandomized analysis of Truven Health Marketscan databases from January 2010 to December 2014 based on the first occurrence of an SCS implant (N= 5,476).

9

Pollard EM, Lamer TJ, Moeschler SM, et al. The effect of spinal cord stimulation on pain medication reduction in intractable spine and limb pain: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis. Journal of Pain Research. 2019:12 1311 -1324. A research review summarising SCS studies with respect to opioid use and a further meta-analysis of comparative SCS RCTs of 1 year or greater duration (N=489).

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.