A member asked:

Could anybody have a spinal stimulator?

4 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

Depends: If you are asking on the indications for a spinal stimulator, the most common is chronic back pain. This may occur after one has had prior surgeries or injuries. The question is whether the spinal stimulator will help with the chronic pain. This is best evaluated by a pain specialist who does an evaluation and test to see if one is a good candidate.

Answered 6/30/2018

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Dr. Ken Yonemura answered

Specializes in Neurosurgery

Best for leg pain: Spinal cord stimulation can be very effective for chronic intractable extremity pain but is not as effective for back pain. Temporary electrodes are initially inserted with an external pulse generator and if the leg or arm pain is adequately controlled, a permanent system is then implanted.

Answered 6/11/2017

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Dr. Qamar Khan answered

Specializes in Pain Management

No not everyone: If you have any condition or worried about any condition requiring frequent MRI evaluations, you most likely do not want to get a stimulator now. At this time the leads placed in the spine are not MRI compatible although the battery is. This has the theoretical risk of injuring your spinal cord if your were to have an mri.

Answered 6/30/2018

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