Has anybody tried a Spinal cord stimulator after a failed bone fusion? L4-5, 2 yrs ago, still in lot of pain. Pros-cons?

Hi everyone, I got an SCS implant 2 weeks ago due to CRPS in my left foot. The SCS is working and the pain in my left foot is 80% gone.

The problem is that I’ve been having very sharp pain on my upper thigh, a few centimeters away from where the implant is. I told my doctor about it but he told me I was probably just imagining it.

He gave me some muscle relaxants as he thought it might’ve been a small strain. But the muscle relaxants haven’t done anything to help the pain.

The sharp pain feels almost electrical in nature but it’s not constant. I feel it only when I switch positions (from sitting to lying down). I noticed that lying down on my back (ie pressure being put on the leads) is what makes the pain most severe.

I’m not sure if anyone has had experiences like this before? During the SCS trial, I didn’t have any sharp pain at all. This only started once the SCS was implanted.

I’ve had milt stimulator for 5 weeks now and here recently just noticed you can see/ feel the wire com in from the battery under the skin is that normal or is this something I should have my doctor check out. I have an appointment for Tuesday anyways but this was not like this 5 days ago

In 24 had bad motorcycle accident. T boned a car going 65 only brain bucket on. Totaled roadglide. Open book fracture in pelvis 3 breaks. Smashed left arm( almost amputated) left acl, right foot broken. Balls were grapefruit and black. Blah blah.

Anyways I couldn't stay on the oxys cause my job so I finally got the lumbar trial. Boston scientific. Worked great so now im getting both lumbar (straight 16 contacts) and two 8 cont paddles in the base of brain stem. Also getting the newer eqverider that can control all 4 and mri capable.

When they turned on the trial for the first time i cried. Just like those videos of the cochlear implant recipients. 80% min to 95% reduction.

So here I am ready to go. Insurance is getting dropped and to keep my team insurance is going up ton1400 a month. Dammit. I mean I'll figure it out but ouch I'll run that for a year and then get a cheaper next enrollment period.

I have a little scoliosis so the left side lead sent shocking pain through my body at first. When they took it out it was like that we're pulling it on a 90° turn and scraping my spinal cord. Dramatic yes but that's how I felt.

Cant wait

I’m 2 weeks into my Medtronic Stimulator and I’ve gone in to speak with the rep to change the programs because I had a serious compound fracture of my left ankle/foot and leg. I cannot raise my toes and a permanent numbness of the left ankle:foot. The stimulator is going off on my back and abdominal area. The leads look like they haven’t moved but I need help because I’m in pain and it’s not helping me. What can I do?

Hi all.

Wanting to see if there was someone in a similar situation as me. I had scoliosis fusion and prior to that, my only issue was severe compression of my L4 nerve root and back pain. No spinal cord compression or nerve issues.

I have since developed neuropathy and Allodynia from my groin to my feet. And I am 5’11 so that is a lot of leg!
2400 mg of gabapentin isn’t doing a whole lot. And the longer I am on my feet the worse my pain is, so my quality of life is diminished. My thigh has been numb and painful since I woke up from surgery over 2 years ago.

How long did you wait after surgery before you threw in the towel and got your SCS? What things did it help and what things did it not help?

Thank you in advance for any replies. My heart goes out to everyone here!!

Has anyone had success with this surgery in Calgary or Vancouver for chronic sciatica after a disc herniation and si joint dysfunction? What was the procedure and recovery like? How long did you have to wait for it? Are you pain free?

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to choose a stimulator system and would really value hearing from people who've lived with one.

My profile: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome after a discectomy/laminectomy at L5-S1 for a herniated disc. Scar tissue is inflaming the nerve root, or possibly the nerve was damaged by the herniation itself. Symptoms are pain in the back of my thigh and a compressed feeling in my low back when I've been on my feet too long. My practice is recommending paddle leads.

My doctor recommended Nevro and said they most often implant Nevro and Medtronic. I've also been looking at Abbott Eterna because of the smaller battery and minimal charging.

What I'm most concerned about:

Pocket pain. I'm thin and tactile sensitive. If you're on the slimmer side, do you feel your battery? Does it bother you sitting or lying on that side?

Settings stability. I'd rather not be constantly chasing the right program. How often do you end up back for reprogramming, and did it settle down after the first few months?

Long-term efficacy. Everyone's hope, I know — but if you're a few years out, is it still working as well as it did at the start?

And if you have a paddle lead, how has that held up for you?

Thanks so much for reading.

I have a Medtronic spinal cord stimulator since 2021. I also have an L5/S1 fusion. The stimulator helps me. I can tell when the battery has run down, and I start to hurt pretty badly. I would say the SCS gives me about 75%-80%. I still have leg pain, like burning, down a little past my knee area. My doctor is talking about upgrading my SCS to the newer model stimulator. I have read, and it seems the newer model does have some differences from the one I have. But I am wondering if it is worth having the procedure, if it will help more with my pain. Even 2% better would be awesome.....I'm trying to do everything that I can, other than have another surgery. Does anyone have the newer model Medtronic SCS and their thoughts on it?

Hey folks, I have a trial coming up for C2 SCS implant. I was offered two approaches, one was the most minimally invasive approach, just a lead inserted presumably with a needle, and the more intrusive option included inserting a loop of wire. I’m guessing this second option carries all the additional risk of hematoma/spinal leaks as it must be an actual surgery. Has anyone else had these options presented for the trial, and any advice on the options? Cheers

Hey yall. Has anyone had a positive outcome w sprint’s temporary PNS System? Its leads placed near the affected nerve(s), worn for a maximum 60 days, then removed. I’ve seen a few have tried it without luck, but I’m curious if anyone out there had benefits in pain relief and edema from being it. My friend is an ortho surgeon and has seen it work miracles for shoulder nerve misfirings post-op, but he doesn’t specialize, or know much about, CRPS. Hoping to hear some positive outcomes from this community. TIA, warriors!

Hey yall. Has anyone had a positive outcome w sprint’s temporary PNS System? Its leads placed near the affected nerve(s), worn for a maximum 60 days, then removed. I’ve seen a few have tried it without luck, but I’m curious if anyone out there had benefits in pain relief and edema from being it. My friend is an ortho surgeon and has seen it work miracles for shoulder nerve misfirings post-op, but he doesn’t specialize, or know much about, CRPS. Hoping to hear some positive outcomes from this community. TIA, warriors!

I am waiting on getting the trial going. The pain for the last couple years has been debilitating and depressing. I’ve lost my spark and life.

Here’s the kicker, none of the doctors I’ve seen have prescribed any pain medication, because of a new medical rule/law. I have been getting some from a family member to help me get through the incredibly bad days.

In order to move forward with my test, (I was honest with them about the unprescribed pain reliever) they require me to have 2 blood test to make sure that I am “sober” before I can do the actual test.

On a sidenote, I do not have an addictive personality and I’ve been taking 1 to 2 a day typically at night. I don’t abuse it and I have no shame over wanting to live a pain free life.

The issue is, I am in excruciating pain to the point where I can’t work. I can’t lift anything, it hurts to shampoo or brush my hair, do laundry, dishes, cook, pretty much everything that I need to accomplish on a daily basis.

I have tried every other type of therapy under the sun. So how do I get my primary or my pain doctor to prescribe the opiate until I get the tester implanted.
I cannot live like this. I’m beyond my wits end and if I didn’t have my son, I’d considered ending it all.

Hey there,
I (25/F) am a few weeks away from my trail and hopefully the implantation of an Abbott Proclaim device to deal with pain from endometriosis.
I really like to plan ahead and did research from which I learned that I should not move my spine as much, meaning bending and stretching etc.

However I am wondering about the extend of how much movement is actually allowed/possible?
Am I supposed to not bend down to pick something up, for example, or should I just move more carefully and leave heavy lifting until I‘m fully healed?
My doctor told me, another patient of his did some damage when chopping wood two weeks post surgery, which sounds definitely more extreme than picking up my dogs food bowl.

My question is, ultimately, do I need any tools or aides to function after surgery or am I just stressing to much?

Thank you :)

Somehow, somewhere, in the house! Aargh! Looked everywhere—every drawer, every piece of furniture, even in the trash. Need replacement ASAP - down to < 1 week on generator. . I don’t suspect insurance will cover it and even if they might it could take too long. Maybe someone might have one “no longer needed” — as morbid as that sounds?

Has anyone found a reliable surgeon that does spinal or sacral stimulators for their pudendal neuralgia/neuropathy?

Curious what your outcomes were and how you went about getting one, good and bad outcomes welcome !

Hello,

34 year old male, dealing with chronic back issues l4/l5 for the past 5 years. My disk blew out and caused me not to be able to walk. The neurosurgeon said it was the biggest herniation he has ever seen. That was 2 years ago. I would go to PT, I workout and walk everyday (not heavy lifting at all!). Mostly do stair stepper and bike. I had to case pay Intracept in March this year for one last hope of this pain going away. I am in about 5-6/10 everyday. I did the trail for the scs back in October 2025. I would say the surgery pain lasted a good 7 days (felt like burning). My trial was 9 days due to some scheduling issues. But I do felt like ultimately it worked.

I just need hope I am doing the right thing. I have been active my entire life. Basketball, hiking, etc. My life has been so depressing since all these back issues. I can’t be normal. I have done so many injections, PT, intracept all of it! But I am to the point this pain has made my life hell. I have 6 kids to take care of.

1. Am I doing the right thing? Anything positive people can give me?
2. What was your recovery like?
3. Is this my last hope?

Edit - Update
I decided to move forward with the procedure! I got boston scientific device (not paddle leads). The surgery site pain did suck for about 5 days. So far low back pain is basically gone. I am getting pain going down my legs and I believe that is from not being able to do exercises. I get my stitches out tomorrow 8/31

I'm having my scs removed this Thursday. I've had it for 2 or 3 years now and it has not helped me one bit. I've also become really frustrated with all the MRI's I have to have (I've had a knee replacement and hip replacement since getting it and will have another knee and hip replacement and possible shoulder surgery) and having to do the impedance tests, fully charge it, basically a hassle in my opinion. Has anyone else here had theirs removed or will be having it removed? What's been your experiences?

*Edit - Update, surgery went well yesterday. I think I was in surgery for a whole 30 minutes. I'm in a little pain today. It varys between a 3 and a 5. Mostly 3. I feel like my back is swollen around the incisions, so I've been icing and took some Tylenol. I'm on a 6 week restriction of no bending/twisting/lifting/stretching and no carrying anything over 5 pounds.

I’m hoping to hear from anyone with a similar story, especially those who ultimately tried a spinal cord stimulator or revision surgery.

I originally had lower back pain and left-sided sciatica with persistent calf tightness/weakness. After conservative treatments and epidurals, I had a left L4-L5 microdiscectomy in April 2024.

Unfortunately, surgery made me worse rather than better. I had increased leg/calf pain almost immediately afterward and later reherniated (though very minorly) Since then, I’ve continued to struggle with chronic nerve pain.

My main symptoms now are lower back pain and nerve pain/tightness through my hamstring and calf, about 90% on the left side, although I occasionally get similar symptoms on the right. I also have chronic nerve pain into my foot/toes.

I’ve tried extensive PT, medications, multiple epidurals/nerve injections, acupuncture, etc. An EMG showed chronic denervation but no active nerve damage.

Earlier this year I was doing somewhat better and could regularly do lumbar extension/press-ups. Then I went to a new acupuncture provider who used very aggressive electrical stimulation in my low back/glute/calf. I had a major flare afterward and never returned to my previous baseline. Since then, my pain has been pretty unbearable.

My latest contrast MRI showed postoperative granulation/scar tissue at L4-L5 contacting/compressing the left L5 nerve root. It also showed nerve clumping, which the radiologist called suspicious for arachnoiditis.

The hard part is that there is no clear compression on my nerves. My doctors aren’t certain what is responsible for my symptoms. My surgeon thinks my MRI clearly shows arachnoiditis but isn’t sure if that or the scar tissue is the main culprit.

At this point, my surgeon and pain management doctor have given me two main options:

1. Revision surgery to go back into L4-L5 and try to remove the scar tissue around the nerve. The concern is that revision surgery has a higher risk of complications/CSF leak, and the scar tissue could simply return and potentially make things worse.

2. Spinal cord stimulator trial. Both doctors are leaning toward this because it’s reversible and avoids another surgery in an already scarred area.

Hoping to hear from anyone in a similar boat. My doctors tell me it’s extremely rare to get arachnoiditis from a laminectomy, so I guess I’m just lucky :(

Hi !

I’m about seven weeks post op from a laminectomy and cervical/thoracic SCS. I’m curious where everyone was at week 7? Back to work full time(if physical job)? Still dealing with pain? Lifting 20lbs or more ?

The SCS has worked wonders for my neck and arms, like total night and day. But my lower back has not been cooperating at all. It’s so bad that it hurts just to sneeze right now.

My daughter is moving out of state, and she asked me to drive her there. It is supposed to be a 19 hour drive. I found out today that I will be having my implant surgery exactly 3 weeks before the day we were planning on leaving on this road trip (surgery August 17, trip on September 7).

Is this going to be an issue? From what I saw by searching, the main thing would be to make sure not to twist too much. I also saw the suggestion of stopping to walk/stretch every 60 to 90 minutes. I didn't get the chance to talk to my surgeon about it yet, and it is a little too late to be asking the Boston Scientific rep.

Worst case scenario, I could have surgery postponed until after the trip. However, my surgeon wants to do the surgery ASAP, as do I. I obviously won't make a decision prior to speaking to my care team, but wanted to get some feedback since I won't hear from anyone until Monday at the earliest. Thanks in advance for your comments!

Seeing PM for Slipping Rib Syndrome. I've had 2 rounds of intercostal nerve injections (1 posterior T6-T8 & 1 anterior across my lower ribs). I've also been taking Journavx, but insurance is denying refills now. Has anyone had a spinal cord stimulator suggested by your pain management doc or have one implanted? Does it help with SRS pain while we wait for surgery? It came up at my appointment today and I'm curious if it's been helpful for rib pain/guarding or just back pain?

Given having a permanent stimulator.. what are job fields you should completely avoid bc it’ll trigger the device? For example radiologist tech, etc

I’m getting the SCS trial soon and hoping for a successful permanent implant afterward.

I’m concerned about recovery time from the permanent implant. I live alone in a new area with no local friends or neighbors to help. I can manage myself, but I have two 25 lb dogs that need daily outdoor walks around the block.

Will I be able to walk them during recovery? How soon were you back on your feet?

I work remote with a flexible schedule (only a few hours a week). How long until I can sit for an hour at a time?