Spinal Cord Stimulation
Ajith Nair, M.D.
Interventional Pain Management located in Louisville, KY & Elizabethtown, KY
When anesthetic injections are no longer enough to control your chronic pain, you may be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists in Louisville, Kentucky, interventional pain specialist Ajith Nair, MD, is highly skilled in implanting stimulator devices to help you find relief from chronic spine pain. Dr. Nair performs comprehensive evaluations to qualify you for a stimulator and provides aftercare services to help you stay in control of your pain. Find out if you’re a good candidate for treatment with spinal cord stimulation by calling Kentuckiana Pain Specialists or requesting an appointment online today.
Contact Us
At Kentuckiana Pain Specialists we offer extensive cervical facet joint treatment. We have been in business since 1992 and has offered quality treatments for your neck pain. Call 502-995-4004 today.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Q & A
What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a treatment option for chronic pain that works by interfering with the pain signals traveling from the spinal nerves to your brain.
The stimulator is an implantable device that Dr. Nair surgically places under the surface of your skin. A small generator connects to your nerves and sends the low-voltage currents of electricity to disrupt pain signals.
Dr. Nair can pre-program the device to relieve your pain or you can control your own treatment using a small remote.
Am I a candidate for spinal cord stimulation?
To determine if you’re a candidate for spinal cord stimulation, Dr. Nair takes time to review your personal and family history and existing health to ensure you can tolerate the implant surgery.
You may be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation if you have chronic pain that’s interfering with your quality of life and isn’t treatable with conservative therapies. This treatment may also be an option if you’re interested in prolonging or preventing surgery.
Conditions that may qualify you for spinal cord stimulation include:
- Sciatica
- Disc injury or disease
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome
Dr. Nair can evaluate other conditions that lead to chronic pain to determine if spinal cord stimulation can help.
What happens during a spinal cord stimulation procedure?
Prior to the permanent implant of the stimulator device, Dr. Nair temporarily attaches lead wires to the nerves through an in-office procedure. The leads connect to the external generator you wear on a belt.
Dr. Nair monitors the results of your treatment with the temporary stimulator before determining if you should move forward with a permanent stimulator.
For the permanent implant surgery, you’ll receive general anesthesia to keep you relaxed while Dr. Nair permanently attaches the leads to your spinal nerves. He places the small generator through a small incision just below your waist. Before completing the surgery, Dr. Nair tests the device to ensure it’s working properly.
What can I expect after spinal cord stimulation surgery?
You will spend some time in recovery before you can go home to rest. Dr. Nair provides aftercare instructions, such as keeping the surgical site clean and not engaging in strenuous activities for at least six weeks to promote healing.
Dr. Nair also ensures you know how to work the device to control your pain. During a follow-up appointment, he checks your incision and monitors the success of your treatment.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Appointments
To find out if you’re a candidate for chronic pain treatment with spinal cord stimulation, contact Kentuckiana Pain Specialists by phone or online today.