Living with chronic pain that doesn’t respond to medications, physical therapy, or injections can be exhausting. A spinal cord stimulator trial is a minimally invasive procedure that allows patients to test a spinal cord stimulation system before committing to permanent implantation. This innovative pain management option can significantly reduce chronic pain and improve quality of life.
What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial?
A spinal cord stimulator trial is a temporary test phase in which thin electrical leads are placed near the spinal cord to deliver mild electrical impulses. These impulses interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, helping to reduce the sensation of pain.
Unlike permanent implantation, the trial period allows patients to experience the potential benefits of spinal cord stimulation without a long-term commitment. The trial typically lasts between 5 and 7 days, giving both the patient and physician time to evaluate how well the therapy controls pain.
Conditions Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulator trials are commonly used to treat chronic pain conditions such as:● Chronic back and neck pain● Failed back surgery syndrome● Sciatica and nerve pain● Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)● Peripheral neuropathy● Chronic leg or arm pain● Post-surgical pain● Degenerative disc disease
These trials are often recommended when conservative treatments have failed to provide lasting relief.
How Does a Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial Work?
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Under local anesthesia and mild sedation, a physician inserts one or more thin leads into the epidural space of the spine using imaging guidance.
The leads are connected to an external stimulator that the patient wears on a belt or shoulder strap during the trial period. The device can be adjusted to deliver customized stimulation patterns that best control the patient’s pain.
Throughout the trial, patients track their pain levels, activity improvements, and overall comfort to determine whether spinal cord stimulation provides meaningful relief.
Benefits of a Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial
A spinal cord stimulator trial offers several advantages, including:
● The ability to test pain relief before permanent implantation● Significant reduction in chronic pain● Improved mobility and daily function● Reduced reliance on pain medications● Customized, adjustable pain control● Minimally invasive and reversible
If the trial is successful, patients may choose to proceed with permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation.
What to Expect During and After the Trial
Most patients go home the same day after the procedure. Mild soreness or tenderness at the insertion site is normal and usually resolves within a few days.
During the trial period, patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting, bending, or twisting to prevent lead movement. The pain management team will provide instructions on how to operate the external stimulator and how to document pain relief results.
At the end of the trial, the temporary leads are easily removed in the clinic. If significant pain relief is achieved—typically 50% or more improvement—the patient may be considered a good candidate for permanent implantation.