Am I a Candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Summary

Am I a candidate for SCS?

Maybe you’re wondering, “Am I a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation.”

There are specific conditions under which a patient may qualify for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a treatment option.

Firstly, SCS is typically considered for patients suffering from chronic, intractable neuropathic pain that has not responded adequately to more conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or interventional procedures. For those patients, pain management specialists likely recommend SCS for patients with conditions like failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, or peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes, where the pain is believed to originate from dysfunctional or injured nerves.

Additionally, we would likely emphasize the importance of proper screening to ensure the best possible outcomes with SCS. This may involve a #ComprehensiveEvaluation of our patient’s medical history, physical examination, diagnostic tests, and psychological assessment to rule out any contraindications or factors that could potentially compromise the success of the treatment. Patients with untreated mental health conditions, active substance abuse, or unrealistic expectations may not be #SuitableCandidates for SCS.

Furthermore, we consider SCS for patients for whom the potential benefits of SCS outweigh the risks associated with the therapy. Of course, we also take into account the patient’s overall health status, comorbidities, and ability to comply with the treatment regimen and follow-up care.

It is important to note that the decision to proceed with SCS should be made as a joint decision between Dr. Abdallah and the patient, taking into account the patient’s preferences, goals, and expectations, as well as a thorough discussion of the potential risks, benefits, and alternative treatment options available.

To find out if Spinal Cord Stimulation is a good option for your consideration, reach out to Rany T. Abdallah, MD PhD MBA at APICO Pain Management™. Our offices are conveniently located in Bear, Dover, and Lewes, DE.

Call 855-932-7426 or click this link to schedule online: https://hptz.io/0Wlwmd3

At APICO Pain Management™, we treat our patients like family.