Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial & Implant
Last reviewed: April 26, 2026
Are you living with chronic pain that has not responded to conventional treatments? At SOLUTIONS Pain & Spine in Peachtree Corners, GA, we offer Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Trial & Implant procedures, innovative interventions that can provide significant relief from chronic pain and improve your quality of life.
What is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal Cord Stimulation is a medical procedure that involves the use of a small implanted device to deliver mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals and replacing them with a tingling sensation. This therapy aims to alleviate chronic pain by blocking the pain signals before they reach the brain, thus reducing or eliminating the perception of pain.
The Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial
Before proceeding with the permanent implant, a trial period is conducted to determine the effectiveness of Spinal Cord Stimulation for your specific condition. The trial involves the temporary placement of leads (thin wires) with small electrodes near your spinal cord. These leads are connected to an external stimulator that allows you to adjust the settings to find the most optimal pain relief.
During the trial, which typically lasts for a week or two, you will closely collaborate with our medical team to assess the degree of pain relief achieved, evaluate the impact on your daily activities, and determine if the therapy is suitable for your long-term pain management.
Conditions Treated by Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal Cord Stimulation is considered for a range of chronic pain conditions, including:
Failed back surgery syndrome: Persistent pain following previous spinal surgeries.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS): A chronic pain condition that typically affects an arm or leg, often following an injury or trauma.
Neuropathic pain: Chronic pain resulting from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system, such as nerve injuries, diabetic neuropathy, or post-herpetic neuralgia.
Arachnoiditis: Inflammation of the arachnoid, a membrane surrounding the spinal cord, which can cause severe pain and neurological symptoms.
Chronic limb ischemia: Painful condition caused by reduced blood flow to the limbs, often associated with peripheral artery disease.
All Treatments
Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
Inferior Hypogastric Nerve Block
Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
Lumbar Sympathetic Plexus (Ganglion) Block
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD Procedure) for Spinal Stenosis
Occipital Nerve Block & Ablation
Sacroiliac Joint Injection/Fusion
Radiofrequency Ablation of Facet Joints
Radiofrequency Ablation of Genicular Nerves of the Knee
Radiofrequency Ablation of Peripheral Nerves
Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial & Implant
Superior Hypogastric Nerve Block
Superion InterSpinous Spacer for Spinal Stenosis
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection or Selective Nerve Root Block
Advanced Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain Relief in Georgia
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the most advanced and effective treatments available for patients with chronic, intractable pain that has not responded to other therapies. At SOLUTIONS Pain and Spine Doctors, Dr. Priscilla Agbenyefia offers both the trial and permanent implant phases of spinal cord stimulation at our locations in Peachtree Corners, Buford, Decatur, and Athens, Georgia.
What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a neuromodulation therapy that uses mild electrical impulses to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. A small device — similar in concept to a cardiac pacemaker — is implanted near the spinal cord and delivers precisely calibrated electrical pulses to the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. These impulses modify the way the nervous system processes pain, effectively reducing or eliminating the perception of chronic pain.
Modern SCS systems offer multiple stimulation waveforms, including traditional tonic stimulation, high-frequency (10 kHz) stimulation, and burst stimulation — each designed to target different pain patterns and patient preferences. Many patients experience paresthesia-free pain relief with newer waveform technologies.
Conditions Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is FDA-approved and clinically proven for a wide range of chronic pain conditions, including:
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) — persistent pain after one or more spinal surgeries
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II
- Chronic radiculopathy — persistent arm or leg pain from nerve compression
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Arachnoiditis
- Peripheral vascular disease with ischemic limb pain
- Refractory angina
- Post-herpetic neuralgia
- Chronic low back pain with or without leg pain
The Two-Phase Process: Trial and Permanent Implant
One of the most important advantages of spinal cord stimulation is the ability to “test drive” the therapy before committing to a permanent implant. The process involves two phases:
Phase 1 — The Trial Period: During the trial, thin electrode leads are placed near the spinal cord using a minimally invasive, fluoroscopy-guided procedure. The leads are connected to an external trial stimulator worn outside the body. The trial period typically lasts 5–10 days, during which you use the device at home and track your pain levels and functional improvement. A trial is considered successful if you achieve at least 50% pain reduction.
Phase 2 — Permanent Implant: If the trial is successful, a permanent implant procedure is scheduled. During this outpatient procedure, the leads are secured in place and connected to a small implantable pulse generator (IPG) placed under the skin, typically in the lower back or buttock area. The IPG is programmable and rechargeable, and can be adjusted wirelessly using a handheld controller.
Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Significant reduction in chronic pain intensity (average 50–70% reduction in clinical studies)
- Reduced dependence on opioid pain medications
- Improved ability to perform daily activities and return to work
- Reversible — the device can be removed or turned off if needed
- Adjustable — stimulation parameters can be fine-tuned to optimize relief
- Outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time
- MRI-compatible systems available
Is Spinal Cord Stimulation Right for You?
Ideal candidates for spinal cord stimulation are patients who have experienced chronic pain for at least 3–6 months, have not achieved adequate relief from conservative treatments or surgery, and have been evaluated by a pain psychologist to ensure they are psychologically prepared for the therapy. A thorough medical evaluation by Dr. Agbenyefia is required before proceeding with the trial.
Why Choose SOLUTIONS Pain and Spine Doctors for SCS in Georgia?
Dr. Priscilla Agbenyefia is a fellowship-trained interventional pain physician with extensive experience in neuromodulation therapies. She works with leading SCS manufacturers to provide patients access to the latest stimulation technologies. Our practice offers comprehensive pre-procedure evaluation, patient education, and long-term follow-up care to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Contact us today at (470) 275-3626 or schedule a consultation online at any of our four Georgia locations. We serve patients throughout the Atlanta metro area, Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, and Northeast Georgia.
Advanced Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain Relief in Georgia
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the most advanced and effective treatments available for patients with chronic, intractable pain that has not responded to other therapies. At SOLUTIONS Pain and Spine Doctors, Dr. Priscilla Agbenyefia offers both the trial and permanent implant phases of spinal cord stimulation at our locations in Peachtree Corners, Buford, Decatur, and Athens, Georgia.
What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a neuromodulation therapy that uses mild electrical impulses to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. A small device — similar in concept to a cardiac pacemaker — is implanted near the spinal cord and delivers precisely calibrated electrical pulses to the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. These impulses modify the way the nervous system processes pain, effectively reducing or eliminating the perception of chronic pain.
Modern SCS systems offer multiple stimulation waveforms, including traditional tonic stimulation, high-frequency (10 kHz) stimulation, and burst stimulation — each designed to target different pain patterns and patient preferences. Many patients experience paresthesia-free pain relief with newer waveform technologies.
Conditions Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is FDA-approved and clinically proven for a wide range of chronic pain conditions, including:
- Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) — persistent pain after one or more spinal surgeries
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Types I and II
- Chronic radiculopathy — persistent arm or leg pain from nerve compression
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- Arachnoiditis
- Peripheral vascular disease with ischemic limb pain
- Refractory angina
- Post-herpetic neuralgia
- Chronic low back pain with or without leg pain
The Two-Phase Process: Trial and Permanent Implant
One of the most important advantages of spinal cord stimulation is the ability to “test drive” the therapy before committing to a permanent implant. The process involves two phases:
Phase 1 — The Trial Period: During the trial, thin electrode leads are placed near the spinal cord using a minimally invasive, fluoroscopy-guided procedure. The leads are connected to an external trial stimulator worn outside the body. The trial period typically lasts 5–10 days, during which you use the device at home and track your pain levels and functional improvement. A trial is considered successful if you achieve at least 50% pain reduction.
Phase 2 — Permanent Implant: If the trial is successful, a permanent implant procedure is scheduled. During this outpatient procedure, the leads are secured in place and connected to a small implantable pulse generator (IPG) placed under the skin, typically in the lower back or buttock area. The IPG is programmable and rechargeable, and can be adjusted wirelessly using a handheld controller.
Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Significant reduction in chronic pain intensity (average 50–70% reduction in clinical studies)
- Reduced dependence on opioid pain medications
- Improved ability to perform daily activities and return to work
- Reversible — the device can be removed or turned off if needed
- Adjustable — stimulation parameters can be fine-tuned to optimize relief
- Outpatient procedure with minimal recovery time
- MRI-compatible systems available
Is Spinal Cord Stimulation Right for You?
Ideal candidates for spinal cord stimulation are patients who have experienced chronic pain for at least 3–6 months, have not achieved adequate relief from conservative treatments or surgery, and have been evaluated by a pain psychologist to ensure they are psychologically prepared for the therapy. A thorough medical evaluation by Dr. Agbenyefia is required before proceeding with the trial.
Why Choose SOLUTIONS Pain and Spine Doctors for SCS in Georgia?
Dr. Priscilla Agbenyefia is a fellowship-trained interventional pain physician with extensive experience in neuromodulation therapies. She works with leading SCS manufacturers to provide patients access to the latest stimulation technologies. Our practice offers comprehensive pre-procedure evaluation, patient education, and long-term follow-up care to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Contact us today at (470) 275-3626 or schedule a consultation online at any of our four Georgia locations. We serve patients throughout the Atlanta metro area, Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, and Northeast Georgia.