Permanent spinal cord stimulator implant

Posted 2022-10-03

First off I have had back issues for years, I had previously had 2 SI injections and 3 lumbar injections, none of which helped. I also have significant arthritis all throughout my spine and 4 bulging discs 2 in my cervical and 2 in my lumbar. However, I was at a point for about a year and a half now where I couldn't sit down, even with a tailbone cushion. Each time I tried to sit down it felt like I was sitting on a bruise, it was incredibly painful, and no one could figure out what the problem was. When I started to see Dr. Koch (see Doctors and specialists in the USA, Wisconsin) after dealing with this issue for a number of years he suggested another SI injection using a different method. We tried to no avail, then he suggested something I hadn't had before which was a tailbone injection. While this didn't take away my pain completely, it did take the edge off, which told us we were in the right place. We obtained more testing on my tailbone and found out that my tailbone at some point in my past was traumatized and completely misaligned, causing my pain. His only suggestion was to see a surgeon for a possible partial coccyxectomy. It was great to communicate with a doctor who wasn't going to write off my pain, but instead try to figure out where it was coming from.

The problem was that there weren't any in the state of Wisconsin that did this particular surgery that we knew of. I found out about this website from a doctor friend of mine and found Dr. Colman in Chicago (see Doctors and specialists in the USA, Illinois). I went for my consult and 2 weeks later I had my surgery for a partial removal. Dr. Colman said that the bottom 2-3 bones of my tailbone were just loose in my back, which was causing me all my pain. His entire team was really great working with me from a distance. I had a few complications with my surgery, but even with these, his team was very helpful! I never felt like I was in the dark or forgotten about since I was located so far away. They always gave me the responses I needed, and when things started to become complicated with my incision they would call me directly.

Update, 2023-11-05

I actually haven't fully recovered yet. My scar didn't heal correctly and it became unstable. So I'll need another surgery to fix it.

Update, 2024-05-19

Not surprisingly it's been a long road. I found a neurosurgeon in Philadelphia who highly recommended getting a spinal cord stimulator implanted in my back to help with the significant amount of residual pain I still had that went from my back down into my legs.

I recently completed a required trial of the SCS and it was amazing. I got so much relief from it, I could do basic things like a normal person again. I will be getting my permanent implant in 2 weeks.

Update, 2025-06-15

It's been a year since I got my permanent SCS implant. It has been like night and day. I understand that everyone's experience with an SCS device is unique depending on their situation, however, it has been amazing for my situation.