Advantages and Disadvantages
SCS is analgesia on demand. It is a useful option when other forms of therapy fail. It reduces pain medication and side effects. It is effective in about 50–70% cases. It is an invasive procedure, so it can have associated complications such as infection, bleeding, and dural puncture. It has the risk of disconnection or equipment failure.
SCS interaction with diathermy, pacemakers, MRI and therapeutic ultrasound can result in unexpected changes in stimulation, serious patient injury or death. It can also lead to failure of the device. Medtronic is the only company with the technology in spinal cord stimulation that is safe for patients to undergo a MRI. However, the Medtronic equipment is sometimes combined with other brands of equipment and can therefore still make MRI unsafe.
Read more about this topic: Spinal Cord Stimulator
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