Minimally Invasive Solution for Chronic Pain Management
Chronic back, leg, or arm pain can quietly take over your life—limiting what you do, how you sleep, and who you feel like. When medications, injections, physical therapy, and even prior surgeries haven’t delivered lasting relief, you deserve an option that goes beyond masking symptoms. Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) offer a proven, minimally invasive treatment path forward—gently interrupting pain signals so you can move, work, and live more freely again.
At Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics, our fellowship-trained, board-certified neurosurgeons have spent nearly two decades helping patients across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania reclaim their quality of life. We are recognized leaders in advanced spine and pain-related neurosurgical care, with a multi-location practice rooted in clinical excellence, patient education, and old-fashioned bedside manner. Every SCS recommendation we make is grounded in careful diagnosis, current evidence, and a deep commitment to your long-term outcome—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Are Spinal Cord Stimulators?
Spinal cord stimulators are small electronic devices that produce a mild electrical current. Surgically implanted beneath the skin, these proven devices deliver electrical pulses that interfere with pain signals traveling to the brain. Spinal cord stimulators do not eliminate chronic pain; instead, they disrupt the way the brain perceives the pain, helping patients manage it more effectively. FDA-approved and refined over more than 50 years of clinical use, SCS technology continues to advance—delivering positive outcomes for many people living with persistent pain.
Breakthrough technology continues to improve the effectiveness and convenience of SCS devices. Most models include:
- A neurostimulator implanted in the abdomen or upper buttock, with a power source that may be rechargeable or require periodic replacement
- Wire leads positioned in the epidural space of the spine
- A handheld programmer to adjust the type and length of stimulation
Recent innovations include devices controlled and powered by radio frequency, as well as stimulators that automatically sense and adjust for activity levels or changes in body position.
Conditions Treated With Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulators work well in the early stages of chronic pain conditions. Treatment may be indicated for degenerative diseases, nerve inflammation, and ineffective surgical outcomes. Chronic pain conditions treated by SCS include:
- Arachnoiditis
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injury
- Peripheral artery disease
- Stump pain
Who Is a Good Candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Even a short duration of chronic pain can impair function and comfort. Patients who have suffered for as little as three months may be considered for SCS if they meet these criteria:
- Conservative therapies have not relieved pain.
- Further surgery is unlikely to result in pain relief.
- There are no complicating medical or mental health conditions that would interfere with SCS treatment.
- Treatment is recommended by a pain management professional.
- A successful trial of SCS has been completed.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial & Implant Procedure
Fortunately, a spinal cord stimulator’s ability to relieve pain can be tested before the device is permanently implanted. A trial is conducted using a device worn externally for five to seven days. If successful pain management is achieved, a neurosurgeon will implant the stimulator during outpatient surgery. The procedure takes about two hours under local anesthesia, and the patient is usually discharged the same day. Although considered a long-term solution, the surgery is completely reversible.
Why Choose Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics
For nearly 20 years, Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics has been a trusted destination for patients seeking world-class neurosurgical, spine, orthopedic, and pain-related care across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeons are nationally recognized innovators in back pain and neck pain treatment, offering everything from advanced surgical solutions to non-invasive therapies—always tailored to your individual diagnosis, goals, and lifestyle. What truly sets PBSO apart is how we deliver that expertise: with clarity, compassion, and the reassurance of an old-fashioned bedside manner, treating every patient like family at each of our conveniently located NJ and PA campuses.
Schedule Your Spinal Cord Stimulator Consultation
If chronic back, neck, leg, or arm pain is holding you back—even after previous treatments or surgery—a spinal cord stimulator may offer the relief you’ve been searching for. Call Princeton Brain, Spine & Orthopedics today at (888) 741-7272 to speak with our team, check insurance coverage, or schedule a consultation. You can also request additional information about our spinal cord stimulator services online—we’re here to help you take the next step toward lasting relief.
