Spinal Cord Stimulator in Chalfont & Quakertown, PA

Board-certified Pain Specialists

Spinal Cord Stimulator in Chalfont & Quakertown, PA

At PA Pain & Spine Institute, we provide spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic pain that hasn’t improved with medications or other treatments. Spinal cord stimulator treatment is designed to help patients who are experiencing:

✅ Chronic back or leg pain that has not improved with prior treatments
✅ Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the feet or lower legs due to diabetic neuropathy
✅ Failed back surgery syndrome or persistent post-surgical pain
✅ Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
✅ Radiculopathy or nerve pain that travels into the lower extremities

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Joint Pain & Arthritis Specialists

What Causes Joint Pain?

It typically affects most people at some point in their life due to injuries or overuse. It can make movement, various activities and daily life a challenge. Some typical causes of pain in your joints or arthritis are:

✅ Broken Bones
✅ Fibromyalgia
✅ Sprains
✅ Tendinitis
✅ Autoimmune Conditions
✅ Overuse or Injury
✅ Brusitis

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Understanding Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a neuromodulation therapy that works by delivering mild, targeted electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain, effectively reducing or eliminating the perception of chronic pain. In most cases, the therapy does not cause pain to disappear entirely; rather, it replaces disruptive pain with a mild, manageable sensation, or in many modern systems, no sensation at all.

The treatment is designed for patients whose pain has persisted despite conservative care, including medications, physical therapy, and interventional procedures such as injections. Because it is reversible and adjustable, SCS is considered a low-risk option relative to repeat surgery, and it can be trialed temporarily before a permanent device is implanted.

At PA Pain & Spine Institute, Dr. Bozak evaluates each patient thoroughly before recommending SCS. The evaluation includes a review of imaging, prior treatment history, and the specific nature and location of the patient’s symptoms. This careful selection process is essential, as patient-specific factors significantly influence long-term outcomes.

Minimally Invasive, Research-Supported Treatments

Spinal cord stimulation is one of the most extensively studied interventional pain therapies in the published literature. Our approach at PA Pain & Spine Institute focuses on preserving function and avoiding the risks, recovery time, and long-term complications that come with open surgery. Below are the evidence-based options we offer.

FAQs

How is SCS Different from Traditional Spine Surgery?

Traditional open spine surgery requires general anesthesia, large incisions, significant muscle dissection, and often a hospital stay. Recovery can take several weeks to months. SCS, by contrast, involves a minimally invasive trial phase and, if successful, a permanent implantation through a small incision, typically in under two hours, without disturbing the surrounding muscles or major spinal structures. Patients go home the same day and are usually able to return to light daily activities within one to two weeks. Additionally, SCS is fully reversible, which is not the case with most surgical interventions.

When Should a Doctor be Consulted?

Schedule a consultation if you experience:

Back or leg pain that persists beyond 6 to 8 weeks despite rest or over-the-counter medications
Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the feet or legs, particularly with a diabetes diagnosis
Pain that travels from the back into the legs and does not respond to injections or medications
Significant impact on sleep, mobility, or daily quality of life
A history of spinal surgery with continued or worsening pain

Early evaluation allows for a precise diagnosis and more targeted care. Left untreated, chronic neuropathic pain can progress and lead to worsening neurological symptoms, including significant weakness and loss of function.

Who Is a Candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulation?

SCS is appropriate for carefully selected patients. In general, strong candidates are those who have a confirmed diagnosis of a condition with an established SCS indication, have pursued and not found sufficient relief through conservative treatments, and do not have medical or psychological contraindications to the procedure.

Patients who tend to be strong candidates include:

Individuals with chronic back or leg pain lasting more than 6 months that has not responded to medications, physical therapy, or injections
Patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy who have not achieved adequate relief through pharmacotherapy, including gabapentinoids or duloxetine
Patients with CRPS who have exhausted conservative options
Patients with failed back surgery syndrome following one or more spinal procedures
Individuals who prefer a non-opioid approach to long-term pain management

Dr. Bozak evaluates each patient individually based on their diagnosis, imaging findings, treatment history, and overall health. A preoperative psychological evaluation is also a standard component of the candidate selection process, consistent with current SCS clinical guidelines.

Can SCS Help with Numbness and Tingling in My Feet from Diabetes?

Spinal cord stimulation has received FDA clearance for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and it is one of the most significant emerging indications for the therapy. If you experience numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your feet that has not responded adequately to medications, SCS may be an appropriate next step. Dr. Bozak will evaluate whether your specific presentation makes you a candidate.

How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works

The SCS system consists of two main components: a thin lead containing small electrodes, and a pulse generator that powers the system. The lead is positioned in the epidural space near the spinal cord, and the pulse generator is implanted under the skin, typically near the lower back or abdomen. The entire system is internal and not visible once implanted.

Because the therapy is fully adjustable, stimulation parameters can be reprogrammed non-invasively after implantation to optimize pain relief as the patient’s condition evolves over time.

The Trial Phase

Before committing to a permanent implant, patients undergo a trial period lasting approximately 7 to 10 days. During the trial, temporary leads are placed and connected to an external device worn outside the body. This allows the patient and Dr. Bozak to evaluate whether the therapy provides meaningful relief before any permanent commitment is made.

If the trial results in at least 50% reduction in pain, or meaningful functional improvement, the patient is considered a responder and can proceed to permanent implantation. Research from a large real-world study of 505 SCS trials conducted between 2022 and 2024 found that 86.1% of patients achieved trial success, and 76.6% of those who received a permanent implant maintained significant improvement at follow-up.

Research insight: A real-world cohort study of 505 patients (Interventional Pain Institute, 2022–2024) found that 86.1% achieved trial success and 76.6% of permanently implanted patients maintained significant improvement at follow-up. Patients with diabetic neuropathy showed the highest success rate at 83.3%.

(Gheith R, et al. Journal of Pain Research. 2025. doi: 10.2147/JPR. PMC12672166.)

Permanent Implantation

Permanent SCS implantation is an outpatient procedure performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The leads are precisely positioned at the target spinal level, and the pulse generator is implanted through a small incision. The entire procedure typically takes between one and two hours. Most patients return home the same day and resume light daily activities within one to two weeks.

Importantly, the procedure is reversible. If a patient’s circumstances change, or if the therapy is no longer providing adequate relief, the device can be removed or reprogrammed accordingly.

Spinal Cord Stimulation Symptoms

Symptoms that may indicate SCS candidacy depend on the underlying condition:

Neurogenic Claudication: Leg pain, heaviness, or cramping when walking upright that eases with sitting or bending forward
Neuropathic Foot Pain: Numbness, tingling, or burning starting in the toes or feet, often worsening at night
Lower Back Pain: Persistent aching that worsens with standing or extension
Radiating Pain / Sciatica: Pain, tingling, or numbness traveling into the buttocks, legs, or feet
Leg Weakness: Difficulty lifting the foot or maintaining balance in more advanced cases
Post-Surgical Pain: Persistent or recurrent pain following spinal surgery

Spinal Cord Stimulation Diagnosis

Physical Examination: Range of motion testing, neurological assessment, and gait evaluation

Imaging:

MRI: Gold standard, visualizes canal narrowing, nerve compression, and soft tissue changes
X-ray: Evaluates spinal alignment, disc height, and bony changes
CT scan: Assesses bony anatomy and foraminal narrowing in detail

Research insight: A multicenter study of 505 patients treated with SCS showed an 86.1% trial success rate, with diabetic neuropathy patients demonstrating the highest success rate at 83.3% [Gheith et al., Journal of Pain Research, 2025].

Why Choose PA Pain & Spine Institute?

Our goal is not simply to manage pain. We work to find the right solution for each patient’s specific anatomy, symptoms, and goals, with a clear preference for approaches that preserve function and avoid the risks of major surgery.

Patients benefit from:

Dr. Bozak’s expertise in spinal cord stimulation, from trial placement through permanent implantation
Evidence-based treatments supported by peer-reviewed research, including published Journal of Pain Research studies
Advanced treatment options including SCS, epidural steroid injections, medial branch blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and regenerative medicine
Fluoroscopy-guided precision for every injection and procedure
Convenient locations in Chalfont and Quakertown, serving all of Bucks County

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Conditions Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation has received FDA clearance for a range of chronic pain conditions. Furthermore, recent regulatory expansions have broadened the approved indications, particularly for patients living with neuropathic pain related to diabetes. The conditions below are among those treated with SCS at PA Pain & Spine Institute.

Chronic Back and Leg Pain / Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

SCS is one of the most well-established treatments for persistent back and leg pain, particularly in patients who have already undergone spinal surgery without adequate relief. This condition, commonly referred to as failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) or persistent spinal pain syndrome (PSPS), is one of the primary indications for SCS therapy and has been supported by decades of peer-reviewed evidence.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (Numbness & Tingling in the Feet)

One of the most significant recent developments in SCS therapy is the FDA’s expanded approval for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). DPN is a progressive nerve condition caused by chronically elevated blood glucose levels, most commonly affecting the feet, lower legs, and hands. Patients often describe symptoms as numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation that begins in the toes and moves upward, and which can become severe enough to interfere with sleep, mobility, and daily function.

Approximately 50% of adults with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy during their lifetime, and for many, medications provide only partial relief or produce intolerable side effects. SCS now represents a non-opioid, non-medication option that has demonstrated meaningful and durable outcomes in this population. Notably, the real-world cohort study referenced above found that patients with diabetic neuropathy had the highest SCS trial success rate of any diagnostic group at 83.3%.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

CRPS is a chronic pain condition typically affecting an arm or leg following injury, surgery, or nerve damage. It is characterized by disproportionate, sustained pain, changes in skin color and temperature, and swelling. SCS is a recognized treatment for CRPS and is supported by both FDA clearance and multiple published clinical guidelines.

Radiculopathy and Nerve Root Pain

Radiculopathy, or pain that radiates from the spine into the extremities along a nerve root pathway, is another condition for which SCS provides meaningful relief. Patients with radiculopathy often describe sharp, shooting, or electric pain that travels into the buttocks, legs, or feet, and which has not adequately responded to injections or physical therapy.

References

Gheith R, Wortmann M, Najjar M, et al. Real-World Outcomes of Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Consecutive Institutional Experience with 505 Trials. Journal of Pain Research. 2025. doi: 10.2147/JPR. PMC12672166.
Yeung AM, Huang J, Nguyen KT, et al. Spinal Cord Stimulation for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2024;18(1):168-192. doi: 10.1177/19322968221133795. PMC10899837.
Huygen F, et al. Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of SCS vs. Conventional Medical Management for Chronic Low Back and Leg Pain. 2024. Referenced in ASRA/ASPN SCS Consensus Guidelines 2024.
eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet). SCS for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, Mortality, and Amputation: Retrospective Cohort Study. 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.
FDA. Expanded Indications for Spinal Cord Stimulation for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Clearances issued 2021 (Nevro), 2022 (Medtronic), 2023 (Abbott, Boston Scientific). fda.gov.
PA Pain & Spine Institute. Meet the Providers. pennpain.com/meet-the-providers.

The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment recommendations are based on individual clinical evaluation. Individual results may vary, and no specific outcomes are guaranteed. This content does not create a provider-patient relationship.