Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial

Understanding the SCS Trial

What is a spinal cord stimulator trial?

A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trial is a temporary test used to determine whether electrical stimulation can reduce chronic pain and improve function. One or more thin leads are placed through a needle into the epidural space under live X-ray guidance. The leads connect to an external trial device worn outside the body.

The trial lasts 5–7 days. The leads are then removed in the office at the end of the trial. No permanent generator is implanted during the trial.

What should I evaluate during the trial?

• Your percentage of pain relief and which areas of pain improve.
• Changes in walking, standing, sitting, sleep, household tasks, work, and other meaningful activities.
• Any change in pain medication use and whether the stimulation feels comfortable.

A successful trial commonly means at least 50% pain relief and/or meaningful functional improvement, but the final decision is individualized.

Risks and possible side effects

Temporary soreness, bruising, muscle spasm, headache, uncomfortable stimulation, or a pain flare may occur. The leads can move, causing a change or loss of coverage.

Less common but important risks include infection, bleeding or epidural hematoma, spinal fluid leak, allergic reaction, nerve injury, new weakness or numbness, bowel or bladder dysfunction, retained lead fragment, seizure, paralysis, or other serious neurologic injury. Serious complications are uncommon.

Preparing for the SCS Trial

Follow the individualized instructions from Renova Pain and the procedure facility.

Blood thinners, aspirin, and NSAIDs

• Tell us if you take aspirin, Plavix/clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis/apixaban, Xarelto/rivaroxaban, Pradaxa/dabigatran, Lovenox/enoxaparin, or any other blood thinner or antiplatelet medication.
• Do not take blood thinners, aspirin, or NSAIDs during the entire trial while the leads remain in place. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, diclofenac, ketorolac, and celecoxib.
• Unless Renova Pain gives different instructions, these medications may be resumed 24 hours after the trial leads are removed—not 24 hours after lead placement.

GLP-1 medications for diabetes or weight loss

Examples include Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Trulicity®, Victoza®, Saxenda®, Rybelsus® and similar drugs. Tell us your schedule, last dose, recent dose changes, and any nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, or constipation. Follow the anesthesia team’s individualized instructions.

Tell us before the procedure

• Any infection, fever, antibiotics, open wound, rash near the procedure area, recent hospitalization, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, allergy, bleeding problem, new weakness or numbness, or major symptom change.
• A pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), cochlear implant, insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor, or other implanted electronic device.

Procedure-day checklist

Protect the Leads and Dressing

The leads must remain secure, clean, and dry until Renova Pain removes them.

Dressing and bathing—very important

• Do not remove, loosen, reinforce, or redress the silk tape or dressing yourself unless Renova Pain specifically instructs you to do so.
• If the dressing or silk tape accidentally gets wet, becomes loose, lifts at an edge, is soiled, or needs to be redressed for any reason, contact Renova Pain immediately.
• Do not pull, tug, disconnect, or handle the leads. Keep the external device and cables protected.

Activity restrictions

Daily support and trial diary

• The device representative will call you daily to make sure you are doing well, review your pain relief and function, and help with approved programming adjustments.
• Record pain relief, activities, sleep, medication use, stimulation coverage, and any problems each day. Keep all scheduled follow-up and lead-removal appointments.

Call Us Immediately

Call for fever, chills, increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, wet or loose dressing, severe or rapidly worsening back pain, severe headache, new numbness or weakness, difficulty walking, loss of stimulation coverage, or equipment problems.

Do not restart blood thinners, aspirin, or NSAIDs until Renova Pain confirms the leads were removed safely; the usual plan is 24 hours after removal.