What is the Process?
1. Placement of the trial leads
An outpatient procedure will be performed to place one or two leads in the space above your spinal cord. The leads will then be connected to the ETS. You may be asked to provide feedback to your Pain Management Specialist on where you feel the stimulation.
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2. Customize the therapy
Right after the procedure, your trial system will be programmed to relieve your specific pain as much as possible based on the feedback you provide. Once the system has been programmed, you will be able to use the remote control to adjust the stimulation. This will be your opportunity to Test Drive the therapy to determine if it provides sufficient pain relief. During the Test Drive, the therapy may be stopped at any time.
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3. Keep a journal
Your Pain Management Specialist will determine how long your Test Drive will last. It is a good idea to keep a journal during the trial period to help evaluate the therapy. If your therapy is not satisfactory and needs to be optimized, please contact your Pain Management Specialist to make an appointment to adjust the system.
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4. Evaluate the therapy
At the end of the Test Drive, you and your Pain Management Specialist will discuss the effectiveness of the therapy and decide whether SCS is the right long-term solution for you.
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5. Next steps
Depending on how your trial system was implanted, your leads will most likely be removed in the physician's office after the Test Drive. If you and your Pain Management Specialist decide that SCS is right for you, then you will be re-scheduled for another outpatient surgery to receive the permanent SCS system.
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What to Expect During the Test Drive Procedure
This section will give you a better understanding of what to expect during the Test Drive procedure:
- The outpatient procedure is usually performed in your pain management clinic, hospital or outpatient surgery center.
- During the procedure you will most likely lie on your stomach.
- You will probably receive a combination of light sedation and local anesthesia.
- A small area on your back will be numbed. Then, your Pain Management Specialist will place the leads in the epidural space above your spinal cord.
- The leads will be connected to the External Trial Stimulator (ETS) which will be worn on a soft belt.
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- After the procedure, you will be placed on your back. You might be slightly sore from the procedure. You will be asked to provide feedback to help steer the paresthesia over your painful area. The paresthesia, often felt as a tingling sensation, will mask the pain signals and should help reduce your pain.
- You will be taught how to use your remote control. The remote allows you to turn the therapy on and off, increase or decrease the "volume" or intensity and allow you to change the "channels" or programs to experience different feelings.
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"I liked the idea of being in control again. I’d already been stripped of my career, I was financially ruined and I wasn’t functioning as a husband and a father. After being implanted with the Precision Plus SCS System, I felt my life was a miracle."
Mike Roman
Chronic Pain
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Making the Most of your Test Drive
The following tips will help give you the best chance for a successful outcome during the Test Drive:
- Keep the lead insertion site clean and dry, and take care of it as directed by your Pain Management Specialist.
- In the unlikely event you experience increased pain or redness at the incision site, chills or fever, call your physician immediately.
- Avoid strenuous activity, including:
- Lifting objects heavier than 5 lbs
- Twisting, bending or climbing
- Extending your hands over your head
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- Turn the device OFF before driving, operating machinery or using heavy equipment.
- It is helpful to keep a log of the activities you engage in and the level of pain reduction you experience during the Test Drive. It also may be helpful to list any activities you were able to perform better as a result of reduction in pain.
- Always consult with your physician and the provided materials for the complete instruction.
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For more information on the approved use, risks and benefits of the Precision Plus SCS System,
click here.
Boston Scientific Neuromodulation
