Screening Test for Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulation

If you have been in pain for more than 6 months and your current treatment has not provided adequate relief or you’re experiencing intolerable side effects don’t lose hope. Spinal cord stimulation (also known as neurostimulation therapy) may be an option for you.

One of the benefits of Medtronic spinal cord stimulation is that you can test it to see if it will help manage your chronic pain before making a long-term commitment.

If you are considering spinal cord stimulation to control your pain, think about having a screening test. With a screening test, you will have a reasonable idea of what your results might be before you have the device implanted.

During the screening test, you can:

• Assess how well the spinal cord stimulator relieves your pain during different activities
• Feel the tingling sensation generated by the neurostimulator to mask your pain
• Decide if you want to go on to have the long-term therapy

What Happens During the Spinal Cord Stimulation Screening Test?

You can try a temporary system to see if spinal cord stimulation will work for you. During the 3- to 7-day screening test, you will find out how neurostimulation feels, how much it reduces your pain, and how well it helps you achieve your pain management goals.

The temporary system consists of these components:

• The external neurostimulator, which you wear on your waist band, generates the mild electrical impulses
• The screening cable connects to thin insulated medical wires that are placed in the epidural space of your spine to deliver electrical impulses from the neurostimulator to the nerves along the spinal cord
• The pouch holds your temporary external neurostimulation system and clips onto your waistband so you can go about your daily activities
• The hand-held, wireless programmer works like a remote control and allows you to adjust the stimulation levels

During the Procedure

Your screening test will likely take place on an outpatient basis in the doctor’s office, day surgery center, or hospital. You may be able to go home on the same day as the procedure.

Generally, these are the steps your doctor may take during the procedure:

• You may be given a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure
• You will be placed on your stomach on a surgical table
• Your back will be cleaned with a solution
• Like an epidural, a special needle will be used. Instead of injecting medication into the epidural space, temporary medical wires called leads will be placed.
• Your doctor will use fluoroscopy (X-ray) to evaluate the position of the leads in the epidural space
• The leads are connected to a screening cable and the external neurostimulator
• Your doctor will ask you questions about the stimulation you are feeling and where it is located to be sure the leads are in the best location
• The temporary leads will be taped or secured to your back for the duration of the trial
• You will be taken to a recovery room until it is time to go home

Typically, the procedure takes 30 to 90 minutes to complete.

After the Procedure

In the recovery room, your Medtronic representative will work with your doctor to program the external neurostimulator to provide you with the greatest amount of relief.

You will be taught:

• How to use the handheld programmer
• How to care for the area around the leads
• What activities and movements to avoid during the screening test

You may experience some discomfort in the area in your back where the needle was placed. This is temporary and will resolve in the hours and days following the procedure.

Activities and Movements to Avoid During the Test Period

At Home with Your Temporary Neurostimulation System

You will be sent home with your temporary neurostimulation system for approximately 3 to 7 days, depending on your doctor’s preference. During this time, you will be supported by your doctor for medical concerns and your Medtronic representative for device-related questions. If you have any questions, they are just a phone call away.

When you are home, engage in your normal activities as this will help you and your doctor evaluate how well the spinal cord stimulation addresses your pain. During the screening test, your doctor will want to know if the stimulation is:

• Reducing your pain by at least 50% or greater
• Improving your ability to perform daily activities
• Allowing you to reduce or eliminate your pain medications
• Improving your sleep habits

It will be helpful to your doctor if you track the results you are getting from spinal cord stimulation in the Pain Journal.

If you are not receiving adequate relief, your doctor can adjust your settings. By simply having your settings changed, you may have better pain relief during your screening test.

During the screening test your doctor may restrict certain activities, such as:

• Taking a shower or bath or submerging your body in water (you may have a sponge bath)
• Physical activity levels that are more than moderate
• Lifting more than 5 pounds
• Reaching over your head, turning side to side, stretching, climbing, or extended reaching
• Bending forward, backward, or from side to side
• Climbing too many stairs or sitting for too long at one time
• Sexual activity
• Operating power equipment or heavy machinery
• Having your back manipulated by a chiropractor or a health care provider

If you are uncomfortable during the screening test, you can have the system removed.

Complications can occur with the screening test and may include infection and movement of the leads within the epidural space. Please discuss the benefits and risks of the screening test with your doctor.

After the Screening Test

At the end of your screening test, your doctor will:

• Remove the temporary neurostimulation system
• Discuss your experience during the screening test
• Ask you if you were satisfied with your experience with spinal cord stimulation
• Help you determine if you should proceed with the long-term therapy

If you decide to proceed with long-term spinal cord stimulation, in most cases there will be a waiting period after the screening test and before your implant procedure. This will give the area in your back where the needle was placed time to heal, for your insurance provider to be notified, and for the surgery to be scheduled.

How to Get a Screening Test

If you think spinal cord stimulation might help you relieve your chronic pain and get back to a fuller life, the first step is to talk to your doctor or pain management specialist. Need help finding a pain management specialist? Use our Find a Doctor tool to locate a specialist near you.

Your pain management specialist can help you schedule a test for the therapy that is most appropriate for your needs. Be sure to discuss with your pain specialist the risks and benefits of the screening test and long-term spinal cord stimulation therapy.

Talk with Someone Who Is Receiving Spinal Cord Stimulation

Before or during your screening test, it can be helpful to talk with someone who has been living with spinal cord stimulation. The Medtronic Ambassador Program for prospective patients puts you in touch with a volunteer who is interested in sharing their experience with you. Learn more.

Next: Screening Test for Drug Delivery Therapy