What are some drawbacks of spinal cord stimulators for treating chronic pain?

Depends on patient: Scs therapy is an effective modality to relieve various chronic pain disorders. It's an implanted device near the spinal cord. As with other implantable devices, there is risk for malfunction, migration, breakage, etc. As of now in 2011, scs implants are not compatible with mri, and patient cannot use mri. Ct scanning may be substituted.

Several: Spinal cord stimulation is a minimally invasive method of electrical modulation of nerve signals transmission to brain. It may be effective for treatment of so-called neuropathic chronic pain. Patients with these implants cannot have mri, should notify tsa and generally should be aware of any strong magnetic fields. Complications include mechanical problems ( migration, disconnection), infection.

Implant: 1. It's an implant, so you need device maintenance including regular charging 2. Needs frequent reprogramming. 3. Does not help as much with axial back pain 4. Can not have MRI scans. 5. Small risk of electrode migration or break