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A neuromodulation therapy for chronic pain management
Spinal Cord Stimulation, or SCS, is a well-established interventional pain therapy shown to provide effective, lasting relief from chronic pain in the trunk and/or limbs, including unilateral or bilateral pain associated with conditions such as:
- Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
- Radicular Pain Syndrome
- Other radiculopathies and chronic low back and leg pain without prior surgery
How SCS works
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a prescription neuromodulation therapy that works by sending electrical impulses that trigger nerve fibers along the spinal cord, masking the pain message traveling to the brain.
An SCS system includes:
- Leads placed near the spinal cord
- An implantable pulse generator, or stimulator, that may be chargeable or non-rechargeable
- A remote control used by the patient to adjust their therapy
- A charging system (if the implanted stimulator is a rechargeable device)
Before the implantation procedure, patients are required to assess potential benefit by undergoing a fully reversible, temporary trial using an external stimulator. The trial typically lasts from 3 to 7 days and is generally considered successful if the patient experiences a 50 percent or greater reduction in pain.
Evaluating patients
Patient selection and therapy management are determined by an interventional pain specialist.
Ongoing therapy management
Long-term therapy management, including programming adjustments and follow-up care, is provided by an interventional pain specialist. Boston Scientific patients can get ongoing support and assistance from Patient Care Specialists and field Clinical Specialists. The website BostonScientific.com/Care contains easily accessible resources and tools for existing patients.
Clinical evidence
Boston Scientific's proprietary SCS therapies deliver high clinical and functional success that is sustained for years, including:
88%
responder rate 2 years post implant1
+28
point improvement in disability at 2 years1
81%
patient satisfaction at 2 years1
Managing Diabetic Nerve Pain with Spinal Cord Stimulation
Watch Kevin Blue, DPM and Drew Trainor, DO, MS, discuss the use of SCS to help manage painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
1. North J., et al. SOLIS RCT: 2-Year Outcomes of SCS vs Medical Management in Surgery-Naïve Back Pain Patients [Abstract] NANS 2026 Annual Meeting, Jan 22-25, 2026. (n=39)
View Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator System Indications, Safety, and Warnings