.png)
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a small, innovative medical device that sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These gentle impulses help block or modify pain signals before they reach the brain — meaning the brain perceives less pain, and patients can finally experience meaningful relief.
Spinal cord stimulation is designed for individuals who live with chronic pain that hasn’t improved with traditional treatments such as medications, injections, or even surgery. It’s often recommended for conditions like chronic back or leg pain, nerve-related pain (neuropathy), or post-surgical pain syndromes.
Unlike medications that temporarily dull discomfort or procedures that may involve longer recovery times, SCS provides a long-term, non-opioid option for managing pain. For many patients, it represents the breakthrough they’ve been waiting for — a way to take control of their pain and get back to living life on their own terms.
Spinal cord stimulation is FDA-approved and supported by decades of research as one of the most effective and safe treatments for chronic pain. It’s not experimental or risky — it’s a proven therapy that has already helped thousands of people reclaim their comfort, activity, and peace of mind.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, our specialists use the latest spinal cord stimulation systems to ensure each treatment is precise, minimally invasive, and personalized to every patient’s unique pain pattern and goals.
When patients first hear the term “spinal cord stimulator trial,” it can sound intimidating — but the truth is, this phase is not surgery. It’s a temporary, outpatient procedure designed to help you experience what spinal cord stimulation feels like before committing to a permanent implant.
The goal of the trial is simple: to determine how well spinal cord stimulation relieves your pain and improves your daily life. Think of it as a “test drive” — a chance to see if this treatment truly makes a difference for you.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we understand that many patients feel anxious before their trial. You’ve already been through so much trying to manage pain, and the idea of another procedure can feel overwhelming. That’s why our team takes time to explain every step, answer every question, and make sure you feel supported and confident.
In reality, most patients describe the spinal cord stimulator trial as quick, comfortable, and surprisingly simple. The procedure typically takes less than an hour and is done under local anesthesia with light sedation, so you’re relaxed but awake. Tiny leads (thin wires) are placed near the spinal cord through a small needle — no large incision or hospital stay required.
Over the next several days, you’ll use a small external device to control the stimulation level and track how much your pain improves. Many people begin to feel relief almost immediately.
And if the trial doesn’t meet your expectations? It’s completely reversible. The leads are removed easily in the office, with no lasting changes to your body.
For most patients, however, the results are life-changing. Studies show that the majority of patients who experience at least 50% pain relief during the trial go on to long-term success with the permanent spinal cord stimulator implant.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, our goal is to make every part of your spinal cord stimulator trial as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We understand that patients often feel anxious before new procedures — especially when they’ve already been through years of chronic pain and multiple treatments. That’s why our team takes the time to guide you through each step, ensuring you feel confident, informed, and supported from start to finish.
Here’s what you can expect during your spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trial:
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine. During this visit, you’ll meet with one of our experienced pain management specialists who will take the time to understand your medical history, review any previous imaging (such as MRIs or CT scans), and discuss your treatment experiences so far.
The goal of this evaluation is to determine whether spinal cord stimulation is the right fit for your specific condition. We’ll explain how the therapy works, what outcomes to expect, and answer any questions you may have. Together, we’ll decide if moving forward with a trial makes sense for you.
Once your trial is scheduled, our care team will walk you through the preparation process. This may include reviewing your medications, providing fasting instructions if needed, and discussing what to bring on the day of your procedure.
It’s important to know that the spinal cord stimulator trial is done under local anesthesia with mild sedation, not general anesthesia. That means you’ll be relaxed and comfortable but awake enough to communicate with your physician during the procedure. There’s no hospital stay required — it’s performed on an outpatient basis, and most patients return home the same day.
During the procedure, your specialist will use fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to carefully place thin wires, called leads, near the spinal cord in the area where pain signals are being transmitted. These leads are then connected to a small external pulse generator, which you’ll wear on your clothing or a belt.
This device delivers gentle electrical impulses that interrupt pain signals traveling to the brain. You may feel a light tingling sensation — often described as soothing or relaxing — as your doctor adjusts the settings to achieve the best pain relief.
The entire process typically takes less than an hour, and you’ll be able to go home the same day to begin your trial period.
The trial phase usually lasts about five to seven days. During this time, you’ll go about your regular daily activities, noticing how your pain levels change during movement, rest, and sleep.
You’ll also have the ability to adjust the stimulation settings to find the level that feels most comfortable and effective for you. We often recommend that patients keep a simple journal to record how their pain responds — noting improvements in pain levels, sleep quality, and daily function.
This feedback helps your doctor understand how well the therapy is working for your specific needs.
After your trial period ends, you’ll return to Medici Orthopaedics & Spine for an evaluation. Together with your provider, you’ll review your results — how much your pain improved, how your function changed, and whether you felt a meaningful difference in your day-to-day life.
If you experienced significant pain relief (often 50% or more) and improved function, you may be an excellent candidate for permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation.
If the trial doesn’t provide the results you hoped for, don’t worry — the leads are safely and easily removed, leaving no lasting changes to your body. Your Medici specialist will then work with you to explore other advanced, minimally invasive treatments that may be better suited to your condition.
For those living with chronic pain, finding real, lasting relief can feel like an impossible goal. But the truth is, that hope may be closer than you think. A spinal cord stimulator trial offers a safe, simple, and completely reversible way to discover whether this advanced therapy can finally help you take back control of your life.
Unlike more invasive procedures, the SCS trial allows you to experience how much your pain can improve before making any permanent decisions. Many patients describe it as life-changing — not only because it eases their pain, but because it restores something even more powerful: hope.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, our mission has always been to provide the most effective, least invasive, and least drug-dependent care available today. We understand that every patient’s pain journey is unique, and that’s why we take a personalized approach to help you find the solution that fits your life — not just your symptoms. From your first consultation to your follow-up evaluation, our team will guide you through the process with compassion, expertise, and unwavering support.
📍 Snellville Ambulatory Surgery Center:
2220 Wisteria Drive, Unit 100
Snellville, GA 30078
📞 Call: (470) 795-8398
🌐 Visit: www.mediciortho.com
At Medici, you’re more than your MRI.
We take time to hear your story, understand your pain, and create a plan that actually works for you.
Our team delivers specialist care at convenient locations across Metro Atlanta:
Get expert tips on injury recovery, pain relief, joint health, and movement strategies—straight from our Fellowship-Trained team.
