Treatment guide

    Spinal Cord Stimulation and Neuromodulation

    A specialist treatment that uses mild electrical signals to change how selected persistent pain signals are processed.

    Book an assessment Nerve Pain Clinic

    Who may be considered

    • Selected persistent nerve pain
    • Pain continuing after spine surgery
    • Severe pain that has not improved enough with appropriate less-invasive care

    Assessment comes first

    Assessment considers the diagnosis, previous treatments, health, goals and psychological readiness. Suitable patients usually have a temporary trial before any permanent implant decision.

    What happens

    Thin leads are positioned near the spinal cord and connected to a stimulator. A trial allows the patient and clinical team to judge benefit before discussing a permanent implant.

    What it cannot promise

    This is not a cure and does not help every type of pain. Devices require follow-up, programming and sometimes revision or removal.

    Possible risks

    • • Infection or bleeding
    • • Lead movement or equipment problems
    • • Uncomfortable stimulation
    • • Nerve injury, which is uncommon

    Recovery

    Recovery and activity restrictions are more involved than for an injection. The clinical team provides wound, movement and device-programming guidance.

    Alternatives

    • • Medication optimisation
    • • Rehabilitation
    • • Targeted injections or radiofrequency treatment
    • • Surgical or multidisciplinary pain review

    When to seek urgent help

    Sudden weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, chest pain, severe pain after an injury, fever with worsening pain, or a rapidly changing condition needs urgent medical assessment. Trident Pain Clinics is not an emergency service.