Trial of Spinal Cord Stimulation

Abstract

Abstract This chapter cites the importance of the location and stimulation settings needed for maximum effectivity and minimum infection risk for patients undergoing and being comfortable with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) treatment. Before the permanent SCS implantation, a patient could undergo a percutaneous trial or a tunneled trial that involves placement of a disposable trial lead with varying permanence. Successful implantation depends on the technical aspects of the trial’s optimal performance. To maximize the trial period, split trials are conducted to test numerous devices and waveforms with a single set of leads. Recent evidence found that trial outcomes may have a similar success rate with paresthesia-based mapping.