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- Jul 26, 2010
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Honestly, I typically wait atleast a 8months or 1 year before doing a SCS trial and usually after 1-2 ESIs didnt help. But I'm wondering if I'm too conservative....
Surgeons do their surgeries and usually tell patients, "it may take 6months to 1 year" to fuse. They tell their patients that we arent necessarily doing the surgery for pain, but to "stabilize" the spine.
I was recently told that in theory if after 3months and there's no fusion or pseudoarthrosis, then one should consider SCS. By 3months there should be some trabeculations,etc.
REcently, a few surgeons have told me, SCS doesnt work. My response is what do you want me to do after you have fused them 2-3 levels and they are still miserable and their spine is now "stabilized"?
Thoughts? I think there's a role for everyone, surgeons and pain physicians. We are all trying to manage a patient's pain in some manner. But it seems our guidelines or what each of us are taught are so different. Any clarity you guys can shine?
Surgeons do their surgeries and usually tell patients, "it may take 6months to 1 year" to fuse. They tell their patients that we arent necessarily doing the surgery for pain, but to "stabilize" the spine.
I was recently told that in theory if after 3months and there's no fusion or pseudoarthrosis, then one should consider SCS. By 3months there should be some trabeculations,etc.
REcently, a few surgeons have told me, SCS doesnt work. My response is what do you want me to do after you have fused them 2-3 levels and they are still miserable and their spine is now "stabilized"?
Thoughts? I think there's a role for everyone, surgeons and pain physicians. We are all trying to manage a patient's pain in some manner. But it seems our guidelines or what each of us are taught are so different. Any clarity you guys can shine?
