SCS effective if there's no back pain?
Posted , 4 users are following.
I had laminectomy surgery (L4-L5, and L5-S1) 4 years ago, after steroid injections provided only limited relief from the simultaneous numbness in my legs and peripheral neuropathy in my feet. That surgery instantly removed the numbness in my legs. However, after a few weeks, the peripheral neuropathy returned, and has gotten progressively worse since. Have been taking amitryptylin and gabapentin for pain relief. The pains occur only when I don't have much downward pressure on my feet, such as when I stretch out on the couch to watch TV, and when I get into bed for the night; i.e., when I unload any vertical compression on my spine.
Tried a spinal cord stimulator by another manufacturer 2 years ago. The pain from the SCS was worse than the pains from my feet, so the trial was ended. Recent EMG studies show the peripheral neuropathy has worsened. I now use a special TENS unit at bedtime, to mask the strong intermittent pains in my feet. If that doesn't work, I use Tramadol to enable me to go to sleep (about once a week).
Unlike everyone else who has reported their experiences, I have never had any back pain. The neurosurgeon is now proposing to use the Nevro HF10 SCS, saying no additional spine surgery is appropriate.
I'm wondering if any patients have had success using a SCS for peripheral neuropathy, versus for back pain relief? Because I have no back pain, I fear the SCS is intended only to solve lumbar issues.
?I'm located in the USA, so I assume I'd be getting the latest Nevro SCS that has fixed the overheating problems reported in earlier UK installations.
?Thanks in advance for any insights on my unique situation.
0 likes, 4 replies
socksmom Yukonjak
Posted
Yukonjak socksmom
Posted
If there is any scarring, it's minute. My wife, who keeps close tabs on my health signs, hasn't commented about any noticeable scarring, so I think it's minimal, particularly compared to numerous scars from other surgeries, like total knee replacements, hip replacement, rotator cuff repair, miniscus removal, cervical diskectomy, etc.. I assume they'll inssrt the device that goes along the spine via the same general area where they did the last one, but it may be offset slightly so they aren't cutting through scar tissue.
?Insofar as problems with nerve's, the peripheral neuropathy has been getting progressively more intense and frequent. However, 2 neurosurgeons have recommended against any more spine surgery. The EMG study that was just completed before they'll schedule the SCS trial #2 indicated that the pains are primarily eminating from my feet, rather than my spine. Perhaps I should be thankful that the laminectomy did reduce the magnitude of the peripheral neuropathy. At least, the simultaneous numbness in my legs did disappear on the operating table.
TreasureNurse Yukonjak
Posted
My advice to you is to see a doctor who specializes in nerve compression. I had six back surgeries for disc herniations. I found out there was nerve compression that was still there and unresolved by the previous surgeons. It took five minutes for a dofferent surgeon to look at my test results and he saw the nerve compression. He said the previous surgeon did not complete the surgery or he would have found it.
I have a SCS with the Burst system where you dont feel the stimulation. It diverts the pain signal and keeps the pain level low. The nerve was compressed for seven years so when it was released it fired nerve signals haphazardly and was very painful. The Dr put me on steroids pills to tame the inflammation and I have had steroid injections. They are not permanent relief. It reduces any swelling so the pain decreases. There is not a one time fix it for pain relief of the thpe you have. Everyone is different because our injury circumstance is unique to our own body. Allow a neurosurgeon to see your test results to see if there is any nerve compression.
If you have a stimulator implanted stay abreast of the postings from the FDA and from the attorney's who post info. There has been a lot of malfunctioning stimulators used by surgeons who dont keep accurate follow up of their patients. It took me several months to convince my previous surgeon that I was having symptoms of stimulator malfunction. I found the FDA posting and showed it to the surgeon. Finally he decided to replace the stimulator.
Yukonjak TreasureNurse
Posted
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Before my laminectomy surgery, the neurosurgeon sent me to a Pain Specialist who did several sets of steroid injections in the spine area. That Pain Doc commented that he had a difficult time getting the needle to the right place using a fluoroscope, due to all of the arthritis spurs along the spine. Those shots provided temporary relief, but at decreasing intervals, so the Pain Doc said he wouldn't continue that treatment, and sent me back to the neurosurgeon. By removing some/most of the arthritis spurs in the L4-L5 and L5-S1 vicinity, the numbness in my legs disappeared on the operating table. The peripheral neuropathy (PN) disappeared for a few weeks, but has returned with a vengeance. The latest EMG study that was ordered by the neurosurgeon confirmed that the PN is worse than when it was done prior to the laminectomy 3 years ago. The neurologist confirmed what 2 neeurosurgeons have said: additional spinal surgery won't solve the PN problem.
?I haven't heard of a SCS Burst system, but will look for data on the web, and see if there's a neurosurgeon in this area (near Binghamton, NY, USA) who utilizes the Burst technology. Hearing about the need to keep up to date with FDA postings is disheartening, because I'd like to believe the neurosurgeons want the best outcomes for their patients, and if something needs to be corrected following one of their installations of a SCS, I would hope they'd take the initiative to inform their patients if/when there's a problem. However, I don't know if revisions in SCS installations will be paid for by Medicare and Supplemental insurers. I have the impression that Medicare and Medicaid are forcing hospitals and Docs to fund revisions themselves, rather than expecting the government to fund blank checks for surgeries that don't achieve their desired objectives. I also don't know yet if Medicare and the Supplemental insurer will pay for a second SCS trial.
Additionally, because the surgery would be done in NY State, there's a requirement that I go through a psychological evaluation prior to surgery "to make sure I'm OK with having foreign substances embedded in my body". What a total waste of time and money! With all of the metal pieces I have already installed in my body (total knees, replacement hip, double cervical diskectomy), I'm obviously not afraid to have items inserted in my body. However, the Medicare Supplemental insurer has to comply with NY State law which requires this psychological evaluation, which was done 2 years ago, prior to my first SCS trial. I suspect the Psychologist Trade group pushed this requirement to enhance their income! As an Engineer, I look upon the body as a compilation of mechanical, electrical, and structural components. If something isn't working properly, replace it! I don't need to be evaluated for this fictitious concern. No wonder Medicare and Medicaid are going broke!
?Thanks again for your insights.