Before you can undergo spinal cord stimulation and have a generator implanted, you will first have to go through a neurostimulation trial. A neurostimulation trial is a short test period in the office and afterwards at home during which your doctor determines your response to neurostimulation and how much pain relief you would get from spinal cord stimulation. It also gives you an opportunity to experience what having a spinal cord stimulator is like.
A lead is placed in your back to deliver electrical stimulation to the spinal cord. You will receive a local anesthetic and mild sedative during the procedure. After the procedure you will be carefully monitored to see if spinal cord stimulation may be the right choice for you.