What happens when back surgery is technically successful, but the pain does not go away?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into spinal cord stimulation, also known as SCS, and why this treatment may help certain patients living with chronic nerve pain, persistent leg pain, or ongoing pain after spine surgery.

Spinal cord stimulation is a form of neuromodulation that works by changing how pain signals travel through the nervous system before they reach the brain. Instead of structurally “fixing” the spine, SCS is designed to help modulate pain signaling — especially in cases where the original spine issue has been treated, but the nerve continues to misfire.

We discuss the difference between mechanical pain and neuropathic pain, why nerve pain can feel burning, shooting, electric, tingling, or radiating, and how chronic nerve compression can sometimes lead to long-term changes in the nervous system. The episode also explores conditions such as persistent spinal pain syndrome, formerly called failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and painful diabetic neuropathy.

You’ll also learn how the spinal cord stimulation trial works. Before committing to a permanent implant, many patients can test the therapy for about a week using temporary leads and an external generator. This trial period allows patients to evaluate real-world changes in pain, function, sleep, medication use, and activity tolerance before making a long-term decision.

For patients with treatment-resistant nerve pain, spinal cord stimulation may not be a “last resort.” For the right candidate, it can be an evidence-based option worth considering earlier in the conversation.

At Vertrae® Surgery Center, Dr. Kamal Woods and the team provide spine-focused outpatient care in Dayton, Ohio, with an emphasis on matching the right treatment to the actual biology of each patient’s pain.

Learn more at Vertrae.com.