A spinal cord stimulator is an advanced treatment for chronic pain. With this therapy, a small implanted device generates electrical signals within your spinal cord to modify pain messages before they reach your brain. Previous areas of pain are replaced with a different sensation. Usually, patients describe this as a tingling feeling.If you are a potential candidate for spinal stimulation, you will undergo a trial procedure. You should feel significant pain relief and comfort with the sensations of the stimulation. During the trial, you will be given a light sedation so you can still communicate with the surgeon. The surgeon will use an X-ray machine to visualize your spinal anatomy. Next, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb your skin and subcutaneous tissues. After that, a wire or lead will then be threaded through the needle along the spinal canal. You will then tell the surgeon where you feel stimulation, and the wire/lead will be adjusted appropriately. The needle is then pulled out, leaving the wire/lead in place. Thus, there will be a wire coming out of your skin that will be taped down. The wire will be attached to an external battery. You will then go home for several days to assess the amount of pain relief you experience. The trial wire/lead will be pulled out when you return to the doctor’s office.At this point, a decision will be made on whether to proceed with the implantation. Spinal cord stimulators can significantly decrease pain, but as with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. These include infection, bleeding, injury to the spinal cord, equipment failure, or future lack of benefit. You should also note that after the implantation, you will no longer be able to have an MRI. Prior to the procedure, you will be referred to a psychologist. The psychologist will assess your understanding and expectations of the implantation.For the actual implantation, the wire/lead will be placed just as during the trial; however, the lead will be connected to a small battery placed underneath your skin. The battery is placed in either your upper buttock or abdomen. Today, most batteries implanted are rechargeable. From time to time, you will have to recharge the battery at home using a remote-control device. The charger is placed on top of your skin, over the implanted battery, and only takes a few hours to fully recharge.