Trial and Permanent Incisions

October 9, 2008

Okay, I had my trial and my permanent implant of the SCS in September,

2006‹two years ago. So I know this technology is POSSIBLE so ASK for it.

If you haven¹t had the trial YET, ask for someone to do it that CAN do it

without an incision. Mine was placed with very similar catheter and needles

as they use for steroid injections. No incision. And the trial stuff was

just sort of strapped and taped on so that there were no stables or anything

like that. The trial lasted 3 days because they said I did have a small hole

where the wire went into the spinal cord area so they didn¹t want me exposed

to infection any longer than necessary‹even though they took every

precaution for me not to be exposed (putting a gauze bandage over it and

sealing it tight all the way around and taping over all the wires too). But

this way there was NO incision and NO staples.

Now, of course, the permanent implant had to use incisions. Mine was around

the bra-line and it was about 4-5 inches long. And then there was one where

they implanted the device in my belly, where they made a pocket and only had

an incision at the top that was about 3-4 inches long.

Hope that helps as some of you contemplate procedures. Ask questions and

find specialists who can expose you to the least amount of invasiveness and

risks.

Hope that helps!

Kathy

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