HOW DO NEURO SURGEONS FIT THE PADDLE TYPE ELECTRODES FOR SPINAL CORD STIMULATORS
I have suffered with Spinal Canal Stenosis for 14 years, I have had several spinal surgeries I have had decompression, laminectomy, fusion and instrumentation to 5 Vertebrae L1 to L5, I also have stenosis in T9 and T10 and three restricted nerve roots which are affected again due to stenotic change in L3 and L4 on my left and L4 on the right. I have also had 3 lots to Cryoprobe surgery. Other procedures such as Spinal epidural inejctions they could do at first but after 6 months or so were unable to get into the space, likewise with Radio Frequency and Disc Ography had to be aborted because the Pain Consultant could not access due to lack of space. So I was not surprised when the SCS leads would not thread through to be put into place as all other similar procedures also failed and I was surprised that he attemtped the SCS using the leads. I am in chroic pain constantly in my back hip and legs, My right hip is excrutiating and increases when sitting, walking and standing. Likewise the backpain and the pain in my sacroiliac area. On lots of meds,,75mg Fentanyl, oral morphine, bacolofen, to name but a few non help releif my pain and I can no longer go out in my wheelchair due to pain. I lay down most of the bay to straighten my right leg to east the pain in my hip and the spacisity in my back. Diagnosed With FBSS, DDD, Stenosis, also has a repair due to Spondylothesis L3 and L4.
On the 20.7.09 I had a lead implanted which worked on my left side but were unable to get a 2nd lead in to cover the required area on the right. How do the Neoro Surgeons know where to fit the paddles if you are asleep during the procedure and do they need the information from the Pain Consultant to know where to place the paddles?
Your pain specialist or surgeon is supposed to conduct a test first. The electrodes are placed on the outside of your body just under the skin where the doctor thinks you will get relief. There is also an outside control. That is how they will know where to permanently place the electrodes. Also, you are awake part of the time during the implantation. The doctor(s) will wake you up and ask you if you are getting relief when they turn on the control.
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Jeannie13
Sunday, September 06, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Anniemetalgirl
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 04:56 PM
They all have leads. It is whether just use a small connect or the paddles, which hold better. The others tend to move and the paddles seem to grow better scar tissue and they don't move as much before the tissue forms.
I hope this helps
Annie
I appreciate your reply, do you know of anyone who has had Stimulator fitted by the use of paddles instead of the leads? I am supposed to be going back into hospital for a second attempt using the leads but because of how painful it was for me due to my complications I think I would prefer to be referred to the Neuro Surgeons to see if they can fit the paddles but wanted to know if they needed prior site information to be able to proceed, or if they can implant the paddles and find out where they need to be from scratch themselves. I understand from what you have told me that the Neuro Surgeons have there own procedure where to find the appropriate placing of the paddles quite independent which has given me some hope to be referred to them for a second opinion.
I have read that the paddles cover a larger area and give a better coverage than the leads do and as they doubt they can get the coverage with the leads this again is making think tht the paddles would be better for me.
Please write to me again - it takes some getting into my brain these days so I can think things through (-: