Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an advanced therapy designed to help people with chronic back and leg pain when surgery, injections, medications, or physical therapy have not provided lasting relief. It is most commonly used for patients who have had prior spine surgery but continue to experience pain—a condition often referred to as failed back surgery syndrome.
SCS can also be highly effective for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and other chronic nerve-related pain conditions where traditional treatments have failed.
At Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin, we utilize Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulation systems, including the most advanced platform currently available—the Alpha WaveWriter™ system.
How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works
Spinal cord stimulation works by delivering gentle electrical signals to specific areas of the spinal cord. These signals help modify how pain signals are transmitted to the brain, reducing the perception of pain.
Instead of pain traveling freely from the spine or nerves to the brain, the stimulation alters those signals so they are less intense or no longer felt as pain. Many patients describe improved comfort, better function, and a reduced need for pain medications.
The Alpha WaveWriter™ Advantage
The Boston Scientific Alpha WaveWriter™ system is one of the most advanced spinal cord stimulation technologies available today. It allows for multiple stimulation waveforms to be delivered simultaneously, giving physicians greater flexibility to tailor therapy to each individual patient.
Key advantages of the Alpha WaveWriter™ system include:
- Advanced, customizable stimulation patterns
- Ability to treat both back and leg pain effectively
- Improved comfort and coverage for complex pain patterns
- Personalized programming to match a patient’s unique pain experience
This technology represents a major advancement in neuromodulation and allows for more precise pain control than older systems.
A Two-Step Process: Trial First, Then Implant
Spinal cord stimulation is performed in two stages:
1. Trial Phase
A temporary stimulation system is placed to allow the patient to “test drive” the therapy for several days. This trial helps determine whether spinal cord stimulation significantly improves pain and function.
2. Permanent Implant
If the trial is successful, a permanent system is implanted during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The implant includes thin stimulation leads and a small battery placed under the skin.
This stepwise approach ensures that only patients who benefit from the therapy move forward with permanent implantation.
Conditions Commonly Treated with SCS
Spinal cord stimulation may be appropriate for patients with:
- Chronic low back and leg pain after spine surgery
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Chronic nerve pain (neuropathic pain)
- Persistent pain after disc herniation or spine procedures
- Pain conditions not responding to injections or surgery
Careful evaluation and patient selection are essential for success.
Experience Matters
Our physicians have performed thousands of spinal cord stimulation trials and implants over many years. This depth of experience provides:
- Expertise in patient selection
- Advanced knowledge of lead placement and programming
- Ability to manage complex pain patterns
- Long-term follow-up and optimization of therapy
Spinal cord stimulation is not a “one-size-fits-all” treatment. Experience and detailed understanding of the technology play a critical role in achieving good outcomes.
Minimally Invasive, Adjustable, and Reversible
One of the key benefits of spinal cord stimulation is that it is:
- Minimally invasive
- Adjustable and programmable over time
- Does not permanently alter the spine
- Reversible if needed
This makes SCS a flexible option for long-term pain management.
Why Choose Spinal Cord Stimulation at Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin?
- Uses Boston Scientific’s Alpha WaveWriter™ system
- Advanced neuromodulation technology
- Trial performed before permanent implantation
- Minimally invasive outpatient procedures
- Extensive physician experience with thousands of implants
- Expertise in complex and treatment-resistant pain conditions
Is Spinal Cord Stimulation Right for You?
If chronic back or nerve pain continues despite surgery, injections, or other treatments, spinal cord stimulation may provide meaningful relief. During your consultation, we will review your history, imaging, and prior treatments to determine whether SCS is an appropriate option for your condition.
When chronic pain persists despite everything else, spinal cord stimulation offers a proven, advanced path forward—guided by experience and cutting-edge technology.