Research published in The Open Orthopaedics Journal in 2015 indicated that out of a sample size of 95 patients receiving spinal surgery, only 26 percent of those had complications, mostly minor 2. Local autograft is when the surgeon takes bone from your spine. The best way to avoid these complications is to avoid spinal fusion surgery. Would you like email updates of new search results? Mjset C, Solberg TK, Zwart JA, Smstuen MC, Kolstad F, Grotle M. Acta Neurochir (Wien). Fusion surgery removes this important shock absorber placing additional stress and forces on the discs and facet joints above and below the level of the fusion. Degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, infection, scoliosis, tumors, fractured vertebrae, spinal stenosis, and spondylolithesis are the most common cited back problems that could warrant a spinal fusion 13. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. For example, the lowest disc in the low back is the L5/S1 disc. The hardware may be placed in the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the spine. If your initial symptoms return, tell your doctor so they can figure out whats causing them. Fusing usually takes about 3 to 6 months. When they take cells from the adipose tissue, it is called Minimally Manipulated Adipose Tissue (MMAT) transplant. The long-term effects of spinal fusion on the sacroiliac joints and ilium Ninety-six patients who had lumbar disk excision and primary posterior fusion were studied 10 or more years after their operations. "We designed this system because we think no other system fits the true philosophy of how the SI joint should be fused," Dr. Cross says. doi: 10.3171/2016.11.FOCUS16412. Therefore for the very best results, the spine and all its parts need to be evaluated and treated together. What causes spinal fusion to fail? J Neurosurg Spine. A spine surgeon will use more bone, known as a bone graft, to encourage bone fusion. However, it can get fatigued and shatter (sort of like when one bends a paper clip repeatedly). The rate of occurrence of potential risks and complications is variable and dependent mainly on a combination of the following factors: See Quitting Smoking Before a Spinal Fusion. , also known as spinal implants, devices, or hardware, involves the implantation of stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloy, or non-metallic items into the spine by surgical procedures. They then can fuse and heal as one bone. 2008;17(8):11071112. This additional force in turn can lead to injury of these facet joints and discs leading to degeneration and arthritis. You may be instructed to wear a back brace for a time specified by your physician. In: Operative Techniques: Spine Surgery. Spinal fusion is a major surgery where one or more spinal bones (vertebrae) are fused together using screws, bolts, and or plates. The most common causes of a failed lumbar fusion are nonunion, hardware breaking, and hardware becoming loose. Your doctor recommended an L5 S1 surgery. [emailprotected] For a few days, many patients may not be able to resume a typical solid food diet. But traditional open anterior or posterior surgery requires extensive soft tissue dissection to expose the anatomic landmarks for screw insertion, achieve a proper screw trajectory and develop an . Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1998; 23:188192. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1993; 75:12981307. If there isnt enough support to hold the spine as it fuses, an instrumented fusion might fail. On the right, the yellow arrows point to dark healthy spine muscles that were present prior to the surgery. Full recovery from spinal fusion surgery can take between six months to a year to resume normal activities. The spinal muscles provide critical stability and support for the spine. After you go home, contact your doctor if you exhibit signs of infection, such as: It may take several months for the affected bones in your spine to heal and fuse together. 3.Greenwood J, McGregor A, Jones F, Hurley M. Evaluating rehabilitation following lumbar fusion surgery (REFS): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. 2017 May;26(5):577-585. doi: 10.3171/2016.10.SPINE16317. Patients must stay in the hospital for a period of recuperation and supervision following a spinal fusion. Lumbar spinal stenosis (adult). In your procedure, your spine surgeon may utilize one type of bone graft or a mix of them. The functional spinal unit is the comprehensive approach utilized at The Centeno-Schultz Clinic, in Broomfield, Colorado right between Boulder and Denver. Accessibility Learn more about the long-term effects of spinal fusion here. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a brace for a time to keep your spine aligned correctly. Outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: the role of interbody disc height, angulation, and spinous process distance. The most common indications for L5 S1 fusion include: Low back disc degeneration Slipped disc ( spondylolisthesis) Spinal Bone Fracture Recurrent Disc Herniation Pain radiating down leg (Sciatica ) Curvature (Scoliosis) Narrowing of the Canal (Stenosis) Failed Spine Surgery with Instability. Impact of Gender on Postsurgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. J Neurosurg Spine. Yes, spinal fusion can cause problems later in life. ), whether or not the patient smokes, and other factors. These issues are more likely to arise in the first few weeks following surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). So far, the outcomes are promising. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Summary of background data: Spinal instrumentation, also known as spinal implants, devices, or hardware, involves the implantation of stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloy, or non-metallic items into the spine by surgical procedures. The disc is an important shock absorber. While neck fusion has a good record of eliminating or reducing neck-related arm pain, tingling, and weakness, many patients want to know how much neck mobility might be lost when one or more mobile joints in the neck are fused solidand whether that can impact quality of life. 6.Okuda S, Yamashita T, Matsumoto T, et al. Outcomes were not related to age, gender, number of levels treated, and minimally to preexisting degeneration at the adjacent level. The hardware can also cause neurological damage. Collectively about 1 in 10 patients who have a low back fusion will need a second surgery to fix non-union or hardware failure (8). The use of narcotic pain medication decreased substantially. Lumbar fusion involves screws, bolts, and plates that stabilize the spinal bones. So, l5 s1 surgery success rates would reflect in those statistics. Patient self-reported success ranged from 85% to 95%. Is a Spine Fusion Major Surgery? L5 S1 fusion is major surgery whereby the L5/S1 disc is removed and the L5 and S1 spinal bones are stabilized by hardware. This therapy can help with. Spinal fusion is surgery to connect two or more bones in any part of the spine. Taking prescribed antibiotics can reduce the risk of infections at the surgery site. However, spinal fusion, like any surgery comes with some risks. B. This outcome is commonly referred to as "failed back surgery syndrome". So to summarize, following are some of the most common potential long-term side effects of scoliosis surgery: Nerve damage Back pain Loss of flexibility Limited range of motion Hardware malfunction Adverse reaction to hardware Loss of strength in the spine Strained muscles surrounding the spine A spine that's more prone to injury Regenerative medicine provides an alternative to spinal fusion. Spinal instrumentation is a long-term remedy for spinal instability. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. 1991 Jul; 73(6):802-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2071615/. Tests say it may be cervical spinal stenosis. Treatment options include PRP and your own bone marrow-derived stem cells. Conclusion: During the first two weeks of recovery, you will have several restrictions in place to facilitate healing of the spine, including: 6. "The SI joint is often glossed over as a pain generator, especially in people who have had spinal fusion and experience continued pain," says William W. Cross III, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. VA underwent lumbar fusion several years ago for severe low back pain. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Katelyn beats scoliosis with new innovative surgery, Mayo Clinic Q and A: Cervical disk replacement, Sharing Mayo Clinic: Complex spine surgery helps Belinda Purdy walk again, Mayo Clinic Q and A: Scoliosis treatment options, Mayo Clinic Minute: When spine surgery is the answer, Mayo Clinic Minute: Scoliosis is not just for kids. There are 5 spinal bones in the low back which are numbered from top to bottom L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5. eCollection 2022. Complications include failed fusion due to non-union, hardware breaking, and hardware becoming loose. ", Persistent abnormal motion in the SI joint can lead to premature degenerative changes. 2008;17(8):11071112. All can require additional surgery. In the example shown, a damaged disk is removed, a bone graft is inserted, and plates and screws hold the bones together. Cell-based and PRP therapies are performed as outpatient procedures, meaning you can go home after the treatment. 2022. This stresses the importance of good post-operative wound care. PRP and cell-based therapies are promising options for lumbar disc replacement and spinal fusion. Youll be laying down with a blood pressure cuff on your arm and a cardiac monitor on your chest during the treatment. Outcome analysis of noninstrumented anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion in 348 patients. 4. 1. ACDF leads to significantly improved outcomes for all primary diagnoses and was sustained for >10 years' follow-up. Some potential risks of cervical spine surgery include: Reactions to the anesthesia . Therefore the best results occur when treating the unit as a whole. Chang PY, Chang HK, Wu JC, Huang WC, Fay LY, Tu TH, Wu CL, Cheng H. J Neurosurg Spine. Among the long-term side effects of spinal fusion, there a number of problems that arise as a direct result of lumbar fusion itself. A blood clot can move through the circulation and end up in the lungs on rare occasions. The risks of spine surgery include: damage to a spinal nerve unsuccessful treatment, which can lead to pain that persists after surgery a return of back pain, particularly after spinal. Spinal fusion can be used to: Spinal fusion is generally safe. Rates vary depending upon the specific type of lumbar spinal fusion procedure. Sex and gender determinants following spinal fusion surgery: A systematic review of clinical data. Patients must stay in the hospital for a period of recuperation and supervision following a spinal fusion. The disc is then removed and the area is packed with bone and often times a spacer. A prospective study comparing decompression with decompression and intertransverse process arthrodesis. When spinal fusion is performed in the . McGraw-Hill; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Metal plates, screws or rods might hold the bones together. VA underwent lumbar fusion several years ago for severe low back pain. If symptoms develop from the same disc level following surgery, it is usually because the bones did not successfully heal togetherwhich is called a nonunion or pseudarthrosis. The incidence of hardware failure in one study was an alarming 36% (4). The general idea is to move the bones of the spine (vertebrae) back into anatomical alignment and then fuse the bones in place to form a solid bone. These treatments are non-invasive and less painful than conventional methods. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies What is L5 S1 Fusion? Patel MR, Jacob KC, Parsons AW, Vanjani NN, Prabhu MC, Pawlowski H, Singh K. Int J Spine Surg. Although major loss of the strength and sensation to the legs or loss of bowel or bladder control can occur, it is rare. Salamanna F, Contartese D, Tschon M, Borsari V, Griffoni C, Gasbarrini A, Fini M. Front Surg. This is to keep your spine properly aligned and reduce the risks of complications 2. The patients discharge date is determined by their general health, the physicians procedures, and the patients response to the procedure. Patients frequently need to wear a back brace after they leave the hospital to keep their spine in good alignment. The disc is an important shock absorber. They list some alternatives, such as: Sarah Pflugradt holds a Master of Science in food science and human nutrition from Colorado State University. The disc between the spinal bones is often times removed and replaced with bone or a spacer. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/spinal-fusion. A small minority of patients will have ongoing discomfort at the location of the bone transplant. Differing presentations of severe sacroiliac joint pain, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Back pain after back surgery: The SI joint and adjacent segment disease. There is a rare risk that dysphagia will be permanent. Electrode failure and migration are the most common. Generally, the procedure involves the following: A hospital stay of two to three days is usually required following spinal fusion. Spinal fusion is a major surgery where one or more of the spinal bones are fused together using screws, bolts, and plates. 2005;30(12):1441-5; discussion 1446-7. Reoperation rate after instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a report on 1680 cases, Adjacent Segment Disease After Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Case Series of 1000 Patients. Thomson S. Failed back surgery syndrome: definition, epidemiology and demographics. Risks and side effects. This may require either a revision anterior surgery or a surgery done through the back of the neck, in an attempt to get the bones to heal together or fuse solidly. His low back MRI is below and is most significant for the death of the critical low back muscles. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. ", Research has established that the SI joint is the source of pain in nearly half of patients who experience new or continued low back pain after fusion surgery. Matg G, Berthold C, Gunness VR, Hana A, Hertel F. J Neurosurg Spine. United States trends in lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative conditions. All rights reserved. Dr. Cross notes that SI joints normally move less than 1 millimeter. An official website of the United States government. Accessed Nov. 18, 2022. eCollection 2016. Different surgical techniques and approaches exist. In the best of all situations, this risk occurs in a minimum of 20% of spine fusion surgeries. There are several reasons for this. Mayo Clinic has developed new techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with SI joint dysfunction. For those who choose spinal surgery, they must realize it takes time to heal. Instrumentation is utilized during spinal fusion to assist spinal stability while also speeding up the bone fusion process. Collectively about 1 in 10 patients who have a low back fusion will need a second surgery to fix non-union or hardware failure (5). This is in turn can lead to spine instability and additional injuries including degeneration and arthritis. The greater the patients size and the more fused segments, the greater the risk of implant failure. Causes Spine Fusion Post-Operative Care, Learn how bone growth stimulation therapy can help your healing process. Some patients with this ailment have no symptoms, while others have back, neck, arm, or leg discomfort. "But with force transfer after spinal fusion, the SI joints can move a couple of millimeters," he says. Allscripts EPSi. Axial CT images illustrate two differing presentations of severe sacroiliac (SI) joint pain. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Before a spinal fusion, it is typically not essential to donate blood. The information is produced and reviewed by over 200 medical professionals with the goal of providing trusted, uniquely informative information for people with painful health conditions. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Medication may be needed to control the pain. Careers. In those patients with normal MRIs prior to surgery, only 50 % were improved after surgery. Those changes can make pain feel more severe (hyperalgesia) or cause your nervous system to send pain signals for things that shouldn't hurt (allodynia). Patient satisfaction is low. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Is there an effective, natural alternative to spinal fusion? . Image shows significant SI joint degenerative changes secondary to chronic pelvic instability from pubic symphysis resection 30 years earlier. The hardware may be placed in the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the spine. See if you're a Candidate for Regenexx Back Procedures. Level of evidence: Treatment of hardware failure often requires additional surgery to remove the broken hardware and replace it. Therefore, L5 S1 fusion surgery involves the surgical removal of the L5/S1 disc and fusing the L5 and S1 spinal bones together. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the surgery is most often done to decrease pain or increase mobility caused by a number of back problems 13. Sometimes, surgery on the spinal bones of the neck occurs from the front. A. Mayo Clinic; 2021. 303-429-6448 Epub 2016 Jun 17. Vertebrae are the small, interlocking bones of the spine. Preoperative adjacent-level disc degeneration, pseudarthrosis, and secondary operations were analyzed. This article does not include a complete list of all potential risks and complications: as with all surgeries, it is advisable to fully review the potential risks and complications with the treating surgeon prior to having ACDF surgery. This, in turn, can create spinal instability and pain. Getting ready for the surgery might include trimming hair over the surgical site and cleaning the area with a special soap. The two most that you need to know are Adjacent Segment Disease and spinal muscle injury. Outcomes included visual analog scale for neck and arm pain. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) versus cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) for two contiguous levels cervical disc degenerative disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2023 Jan;165(1):145-157. doi: 10.1007/s00701-022-05440-2. If the anterior devices were placed anteriorly (from the front), rather than through a. In the best of all situations, this risk occurs in a minimum of 20% of spine fusion surgeries. You may have acute chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or coughing if this happens. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Cited Articles in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. It can take many months to fully recover from spinal fusion surgery 13. The disc is named for the two spinal bones it is sandwiched between. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic, we believe in a comprehensive approach to the treatment of spinal pain. This, in turn, can create spinal instability and pain. Nerve root damage. "If there's no hardware in or across the SI joint from a previous surgery, a steroid might give some durable pain relief," Dr. Cross says. The authors cherry-picked the best possible sounding news from their . The two that you most need to know about are Adjacent Segment Disease and Spinal Muscle Injury. To reduce the risk of infection, antibiotics are given to the patient before, during, and after the operation. The procedure employed by the surgeon is determined by the position of the fused vertebrae, the cause for the fusion, and, in certain cases, your overall health and body form. There are a number of problems that arise as a direct result of lumbar fusion itself. For example, fusion may cause adjacent vertebrae to become less stable, resulting in further pain and discomfort. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Br J Pain. To learn more about this tragic complication please click on the video below. No statements or treatments presented by CellAxys have been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Director of Regenerative Interventional Spine Medicine During spinal fusion, a surgeon places bone or a bonelike material in the space between two spinal bones. A spinal fusion is a common surgical procedure to fuse two or more bones of the vertebrae to form a single bone 13. When surgery is indicated, Mayo Clinic uses a new, minimally invasive SI fusion implant developed by researchers at Mayo Clinic and CoorsTek Medical and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This consequence is extremely uncommon. How you prepare J Spinal Disord Tech 2005; 18:304308. Spine. wound pain. Treatment options for back pain include PRP and a patients own bone marrow-derived stem cells. Accessed Nov. 22, 2022. J Bone Joint Surg Am. On the right, the yellow arrows point to dark healthy spine muscles that were present prior to the surgery. You may have acute chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or coughing if this happens. The most common risk of any of the modern spine fusion surgery techniques is the failure to relieve lower back pain symptoms following the surgery. Spinal cord stimulation risks and precautions About 30% to 40% of people experience one or more complications. There is the possibility that the surgery is not successful in treating the pain and the symptoms return. Although spinal fusion is a surgical procedure used to stabilize and join two or more vertebrae together, it can still cause issues in the long run. Eur Spine J. Learn How Bone Growth Therapy Can Help You, Get a Comprehensive Evaluation from Mayo Clinic's Spine Care Experts. These structures work with one another in a highly specialized and dependent manner. The .gov means its official. 1991 Jul; 73(6):802-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2071615/. 2.Tsutsumimoto T, Shimogata M, Yoshimura Y, Misawa H. Union versus nonunion after posterolateral lumbar fusion: a comparison of long-term surgical outcomes in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Right for You? Is cervical disc arthroplasty good for congenital cervical stenosis? The device entered clinical use in late 2017. 1999-2023 Veritas Health, LLC. Because there are a significant number of variables involved including the specific surgical approach, preoperative MRI, and x-ray finding, the results from pressuring the disc, patients age, medical history, and the parameters studied. The image on the left is after the surgery. This site is for educational purposes only; no information is intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and cell-based therapies. The AAOS indicates that physical activity too soon after surgery can result in pseudarthrosis, which may prompt a second surgery 13. If there isnt enough support to hold the spine as it fuses, an instrumented fusion might fail. 2004 Nov 15;29(22):2516-20. At CELLAXYS, we offer two types of regenerative treatments. Avoid strenuous activities of any kind (golfing, tennis, home improvement tasks, etc.). Surgeries are often extremely painful and have a very long recovery time. The diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction requires an extensive patient history and comprehensive physical examination. The most common risk of any of the modern spine fusion surgery techniques is the failure to relieve lower back pain symptoms following the surgery. Hematoma or seroma causing airway compromise. Klein GR, Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 21, 73 (2020). What are the long-term side effects of spinal fusion? Disclaimer. 2..Gill K, Blumenthal SL. The Centeno-Schultz Clinic utilizes a Functional Spinal Unit approach whereby the discs, facet, ligaments, and muscles are all evaluated and treated when appropriate. Study design: J Neurosurg: Spine 2:673678, 2005. Regrettably, as a result of these forces, the hardware can break creating spinal instability and pain. Why would a lumbar fusion fail? The ejaculate then follows the path of least resistance, which is up into the bladder. I am a co-founder of the Centeno-Schultz Clinic which was established in 2005. Blood clots. Only after your doctor can establish the source of your discomfort will they offer. "No single test can perfectly diagnose the condition," Dr. Cross says. Can the hardware break or malfunction in any way? Trials. The technique the surgeon uses depends on where the bones to be fused are on the spine, the reason for the spinal fusion, and possibly, general health and body shape. This affects patients with large and progressive curves (over 70 degrees) that compress the lungs. "SI joint fusion should be no different from any other fusion surgery. There is also a chance of developing symptoms at of the disc levels either above or below the fused vertebrae, termed Adjacent Segment Disease (ASD). This is a real problem, with an incidence of 9% (9). Get Veritas Health Newsletters delivered to your inbox. Possible Side Effects of Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury - New Mobility I've developed numbness and tingling in my fingers that gets worse after pushing up hills. Non-union occurs when the spinal bones that are bolted together fail to fuse or grow together. It is most usually extracted from your pelvis, leg, or ribs. 2022 Oct 11;15:3137-3156. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S375720. Lets dig in. I quit a successful career in anesthesia and traditional pain management to pursue and advance the use of PRP and bone marrow concentrate for common orthopedic conditions. The standard surgical treatment for scoliosis is a spinal fusion that corrects spinal deformity curves. The MRI is a cross-section image. The likelihood of this result becomes even more frequent with fusions of three or more levels. For all diagnostic groups, significant outcomes improvement was seen at all follow-up periods for all scales relative to preoperative scores. 303-429-6448 Learn how we can help. Unlike a microdiscectomy for treatment of a lumbar disc herniation, with an ACDF there is little chance of a recurrent disc herniation because the disc is removed. Robinson anterior cervical discectomy and arthrodesis for cervical radiculopathy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Part 8: lumbar fusion for disc herniation and radiculopathy. The age, overall health, and physical condition of a patient influence how soon they recuperate and return to their normal activities. All 159 consecutive patients had autogenous tricortical iliac crest bone graft and plate instrumentation used. Lumbar fusion is a popular surgery. Adjacent Segment Disease After Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Case Series of 1000 Patients. Obtain Long Term Pain Relief. This is a frequent complication of severe spine arthritis. Intern Med J. Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Treatment of Symptomatic Cervical Disc Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Eight Prospective Randomized Controlled Trials. The most common include failed fusion where the bones do not properly fuse. From the back, it's known as posterior spinal fusion. About 3.4% to 10% of people. If the damage is permanent, the nerve will not respond to the surgical decompression and your pain will not be relieved. 7.Ho, S., Kim, S., Ha, S. et al. See Potential Risks and Complications of ACDF Surgery. Anybody who has fusion surgery can develop SI dysfunction. In a small percentage of men who have an anterior fusion, an infrequent complication results in difficulties with ejaculation following spine fusion surgery. 2022 Oct 17;9:983931. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.983931. All statements and opinions are provided for educational and informational purposes only. Possible complications include: Infection. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The recovery period is generally six to eight weeks, with some people experiencing intense pain for several days or more following either the trial period or permanent implantation of the spinal cord stimulation devices. Fellowship-trained from Harvard University