This story recounts the experience of a patient who is receiving Medtronic neurostimulation therapy (also known as spinal cord stimulation) for the treatment of chronic pain. Medtronic invited him/her to share his/her story candidly. Please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to this particular person.

 

Jerry

Jerry was a busy family man who enjoyed the bustle of his job, the challenges of keeping an old house in good repair, and taking his son fishing. Then he injured his back while helping a technician unload a commercial oven.

Coping with chronic pain

For the next six years, Jerry experienced extreme low back pain that radiated down his right leg. Medications, physical therapy, injections, and a laminectomy provided some relief, but then the pain would eventually return.

"I was basically working full-time in pain," Jerry says. "I would come home and be so exhausted that I couldn't do anything."

Living a full life with neurostimulation therapy

Today, Jerry is living an active life again, thanks to Medtronic neurostimulation therapy.

While Jerry did not have any complications, there are risks associated with the procedure. The most frequently reported problems following the neurostimulator implant surgery include infection, lead movement, pain at the implant site, loss of therapy effect, and therapy that did not meet the patient's expectations. For a complete list of adverse events that have been associated with the therapy, please refer to the Important Safety Information.

Jerry reports that he's moving around the warehouse with a hop and a skip in his step. And fishing is much more enjoyable now that he doesn't have to worry about the waves rocking his boat, making his pain worse. "I feel wonderful," Jerry says.

Next: Julio's Story