Spinal Cord Stimulation Complications: NYC Patients’ Guide to Warning Signs and When to Call Your Doctor

Don’t Ignore These Red Flags: Critical Warning Signs Every Spinal Cord Stimulator Patient in NYC Must Know

Spinal cord stimulators have revolutionized chronic pain management for thousands of New York City patients, offering hope when traditional treatments fall short. However, like any medical device, these sophisticated implants can develop complications that require immediate attention. Understanding the warning signs and knowing when to contact your doctor can mean the difference between a minor adjustment and a serious medical emergency.

Understanding Spinal Cord Stimulator Complications

The overall complication rate associated with SCS has been reported to be 31.9 to 43%. The most common complication in the literature appears to be electrode migration. While this statistic might seem alarming, it’s important to understand that hardware complications, the more common issues that can occur, rarely indicate a serious risk and can generally be remedied through reoperation. However, less common cases such as neurological injury, infections, and biological complications require prompt diagnosis to improve the condition of the patient and prevent significant damage.

Immediate Emergency Warning Signs

Certain symptoms require immediate emergency medical attention. Sudden severe back pain, sudden onset of leg weakness and spasm, loss of bladder and/or bowel function – this is an emergency – go to a hospital and call your surgeon. Similarly, if you should have sudden weakness of your legs, loss of bowel or bladder function, or sudden severe back pain, you should call your surgeon and go to the emergency department.

Other critical emergency symptoms include:

  • Sudden numbness, tingling or muscle weakness. This can affect one or both sides of your body anywhere below the leads.
  • Weakness in muscles: The spinal cord simulator can make some muscles in the body weaker, which is a form of paralysis. Loss of bladder control: The simulator can block signals from the bladder or even the bowel area, making it difficult to know when you have to use the bathroom.
  • Shortness of breath or palpitations after procedure. Fever over 101°F. Persistent redness, increased localized pain or discharge from the site of injection.

Infection Warning Signs

Infection is one of the most serious complications that can occur after spinal cord stimulator implantation. Infections can develop in the superficial, deep, and epidural levels but most commonly in the pocket site created for the implanted generator. Infection rates range from 2%–10% based on multiple retrospective and randomized controlled studies.

Watch for these infection warning signs:

  • Signs of infection or sepsis around surgical sites. These include discoloration, swelling, pain and an oozing or bad-smelling discharge.
  • Infection sign like fever, local warmth, discharge or collection of puss at the site of injection.
  • Infection around a spinal cord stimulator can cause swelling, redness, pain or discharge in that specific area or more general symptoms like fever or delirium.

In severe cases, epidural abscess is a rare complication of SCS infection. Clinical signs and symptoms of epidural abscesses include new neurological deficits, focal back pain, and fever.

Device Malfunction Warning Signs

Technical problems with your spinal cord stimulator can significantly impact your pain management and quality of life. If one or more of the following signs or symptoms are experienced, a doctor must be consulted immediately: Inadequate pain relief despite changing the frequency or settings of the stimulator · Abnormal tingling when the stimulator is turned on, which feels different from the regular tingling sensation · A jolting or shocking sensation that comes on randomly during the day or while turning on the device · Pain, swelling, redness, fluid discharge, and/or irritation around the implantation site

If the leads (the implants) move, the tingling sensation caused by your stimulator (often called paresthesias) will shift to a different part of the body. This often reduces your device’s ability to control your pain, so it will feel more severe. Additionally, if the lead or pulse generator (battery pack) breaks — after a fall or other trauma or just normal wear and tear — the paresthesias will cease completely, and you will no longer have any pain relief from your stimulator. In rare cases, the device can malfunction, causing pain or a sudden jolting sensation.

Other Concerning Symptoms

Several other symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:

  • Severe headaches: Headaches are a side effect that many reports right away. Pain in legs and arms: Shooting pain in the arms and legs.
  • In rare cases, stomach pain, abdominal distension, and constipation may occur when a higher setting or electric frequency is used.
  • Feelings of electrocution: Some people report feeling shocks of electricity through their body when the stimulator is turned on.

Why Choose NY Spine Medicine for Your Spinal Cord Stimulator Care

When dealing with potential spinal cord stimulator complications, having access to experienced specialists is crucial. NY Spine Medicine is a top pain management center located in New York City, specializing in innovative and non-surgical treatments for chronic pain. They offer personalized care and utilize state-of-the-art technology to target the root causes of pain, ensuring quick recovery times for their patients.

The core belief of our practice is that surgery should be a last resort for treatment of your pain. We exhaust all possible medical options to help our patients recover from their pain as safely and as painlessly as possible. Our holistic approach encompasses minimally invasive procedures to relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent future injury.

For patients considering or currently using Spinal Cord Stimulation NYC, NY Spine Medicine provides comprehensive care with multiple locations across New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, NY Spine Medicine makes it easy to access expert pain management care close to home.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Don’t wait if you experience any concerning symptoms. If you experience any of the above side effects, make sure to see a doctor or go to the ER right away. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming serious complications.

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice:

  • Any sudden changes in sensation or motor function
  • Signs of infection at the implant site
  • Unusual pain or discomfort from your device
  • Changes in your device’s effectiveness
  • Any symptoms that concern you, even if they seem minor

These signs and symptoms indicate a serious problem with the stimulator and/or leads, severe nerve or spinal cord damage, or infection and require urgent medical care to prevent serious complications.

Taking Control of Your Spinal Cord Stimulator Journey

While spinal cord stimulator complications can be concerning, being informed about warning signs empowers you to take quick action when needed. At NY Spine Medicine, we believe in personalized care. We take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.

Remember, most complications are manageable when caught early, and the majority of patients experience significant pain relief from their spinal cord stimulators. By staying vigilant about warning signs and maintaining regular communication with your healthcare team, you can maximize the benefits of this innovative pain management technology while minimizing potential risks.

If you’re experiencing any concerning symptoms with your spinal cord stimulator or considering this treatment option, don’t hesitate to contact NY Spine Medicine at (212) 750-1155 for expert evaluation and care.