Spinal Cord Stimulator Specialist

Neuromodulation with a Spinal Cord Stimulator

 
If chronic pain is taking over your life and you feel like you have already tried everything, neuromodulation might be able to drastically improve your life. By implanting a spinal cord stimulator, Dr. Enayati and Dr. Gruver can significantly reduce certain types of pain sensations that have been unresponsive to other treatments. Spinal cord stimulation has been an FDA-approved therapy for over 40 years, but this exciting technology is constantly improving and the past few years have seen vast gains in what these stimulators can do.

How does a Spinal Cord Stimulator work?

 
Neuromodulation works by blocking and changing pain signals from sensory nerves before they reach the brain and be perceived as pain. Once a Spinal Cord Stimulator is implanted into the body, pain signals are blocked so the patient no longer experiences the same level of suffering. Essentially, this device can turn down the pain “volume” so that it is no longer the focal point of your life. Neuromodulation is achieved with a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that uses some of the newest and most advanced technology available. 

Can the Spinal Cord Stimulator be personalized to me and my pain?

 
Yes! Once implanted, patients are able to adjust the strength and pattern of the Spinal Cord Stimulator in order to find the treatment that works best for them. Dr. Enayati and Dr. Gruver will help each patient find the setting that is right for them! 

Are all Spinal Cord Stimulators the same?

 
No! There are actually a wide range of neuromodulation therapies. At LA Pain, we only use the 3 most cutting-edge and effective technologies: high-frequency spinal cord stimulation, burst spinal cord stimulation, and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation. With multiple therapies at our disposal, we can find the treatment that works the best for each individual patient.

 
Older stimulator technologies often cause patients to experience a tingling sensation (paresthesia). All 3 of the stimulators used at our office are “silent,” so patients do not feel any sensations from the device, only relief from their pain.

 
Nevro’s Senza Omnia HF10 system uses high-frequency stimulation to block pain signaling. This is next-generation neuromodulation with excellent clinical data showing how well it works. It’s effectiveness was confirmed with level 1 clinical data several years ago and the FDA has given this technology “superiority” status over traditional spinal cord stimulation. You can find more information about this system at www.HF10.com or click here to watch a short video about how it works.

 
Abbott’s BurstDR system blocks pain signaling using “bursts” of stimulation that mimic the body’s natural nerve signaling patterns. Like Nevro’s HF10 system, BurstDR has obtained a “superiority” designation from the FDA. You can find more information about this system at https://www.neuromodulation.abbott/us/en/chronic-pain/living-chronic-pain/treatments/ht-tab/burstdr%E2%84%A2-stimulation.html

 
Abbott’s Dorsal Root Ganglion (“DRG”) stimulation system is a new and exciting addition to neuromodulation. Instead of traditional placement near the central spinal cord, the DRG’s stimulator leads are placed near specific dorsal root ganglion nerve clusters, covering specific nerves as they exit the spinal cord towards the extremities. This allows for very precise targeting of pain from a specific area. For the right patients, it can have a remarkable effect on a localized pain complaint such as CRPS of the ankle or foot. You can find more information about this system at https://www.neuromodulation.abbott/us/en/products/neurostimulators-chronic-pain/proclaim-drg-neurostimulator-system.html.

 
Dr. Enayati and Dr. Gruver have personal experience working with most of the spinal cord stimulator devices currently available in the United States, and he has found that these 3 models offer the best pain relief to his patients.

 
Dr. Enayati and Dr. Gruver will recommend a specific neuromodulation system to patients who can benefit for this technology. There are many nuances between the systems, so it helps to have an expert identify the best option for you.

 
For more information on about Spinal Cord Stimulators, call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Enayati or Dr. Gruver. Be sure to mention your interest in spinal cord stimulators so our team can schedule enough time for you to discuss this complex technology with the doctor.