Setting up the test-drive

What you can expect during surgery

In preparation for your test drive, your pain specialist will place flexible leads under your skin in the epidural space (near the spinal cord). The end of each lead has contacts that deliver pain-masking signals to the spinal cord. These leads will be connected to your external stimulator.

You will be awake during the procedure to give feedback about the therapy. This is an important time for you to communicate whether or not you are feeling paresthesia, such as where and how strong you feel it. This information helps  your pain specialist ensure proper placement of the stimulation leads and adjustment of the stimulus.

To get the most benefit from spinal cord stimulation therapy, it is important that you are able to feel paresthesia comfortably in the areas where your pain is. Your pain specialist will adjust the system as he or she asks you to describe where you are feeling the paresthesia sensation.

You will feel the focal point and coverage of stimulation move around: The specialist will make adjustments according to your feedback. As the paresthesia moves around, it will also feel like it is getting stronger and weaker. You always want to keep it at a comfortable level that you can feel.

Once the stimulation is in the general areas of your pain, your pain specialist will determine that the leads are in the right place and the procedure is complete. Bandages or dressing will be applied to keep your leads clean and protected.

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