Patient Instructions for Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant

Please remember the following

• Warning: changes in position (ie: lying to sitting/standing) may cause sudden changes in the sensation of the nerve stimulation.
• Do not operate motor vehicles, power tools, or equipment while the stimulator is on. Turn the stimulator off if driving or operating heavy machineries to reduce safety risks associated with sudden sensation changes.

Immediate Postoperative Period

• Walk for brief periods keeping your back as straight as possible to prevent lead movement and risk of blood clots.
• Avoid excessive movement and strenuous activity following the surgery to reduce nausea, vomiting, spinal headaches, and injuries to the surgical site and to promote healing
• If possible, raise the head of your bed about 20º for the first postoperative night healing.
• An abdominal binder may be used to minimize swelling and protect the incision.
• Avoid heat producing treatments like hot packs, and ultrasound around the implantable site. Also avoid any magnet therapy. See pocket card for details.
• For fever or problem related to your incision, contact the surgeon.
• Follow-up appt. with Pain Clinic in two weeks and Surgical Services as directed.

Up to 8 weeks: Avoid the following activities

• Raising your arms over your head (ie: don’t raise your shoulder upward or outward beyond 90º).
• Excessive bending, twisting, stretching, or heavy lifting.
• Sleeping on your stomach (instead, sleep on your back or side).
• Bending forward and backward beyond 45º.
• Lifting more than 5 lbs (about the weight of a bag of flour).