September 27, 2024
Take Back Control of Your Pain With Spinal Cord Stimulation
Living with chronic pain can feel like a constant uphill battle. It robs you of the simple joys in life, whether it’s playing with your kids or grandkids, enjoying a round of golf or taking your dog for a walk. What if you could reclaim those moments without relying on medication or ongoing physical therapy? It’s time to talk to your doctor about the Eterna spinal cord stimulator system.
What Is the Eterna System?
The Eterna spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system is currently the smallest implantable and rechargeable spinal cord stimulator on the market for treating chronic pain. For those who suffer from post-operative back and/or leg pain after back surgery, nonsurgical back pain (NSBP) or diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and want relief without taking medication or attending physical therapy, spinal cord stimulation therapy with Abbott’s Eterna SCS system is a viable solution.
How Does the Eterna System Work?
The Eterna SCS system consists of a small device called an implantable pulse generator (IPG) that’s surgically placed in your body with thin, insulated wires called leads. When your Eterna system is turned on, the IPG sends mild electrical pulses through the leads to nerves along your spinal cord to block pain signals as they travel to the brain, reducing the amount of pain you feel. You can personalize your therapy through Abbott’s Patient Controller app under the supervision of your doctor.
“The SCS device sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. This can lead to a marked reduction in pain perception, offering relief from conditions like neuropathic pain, failed back surgery syndrome or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). While not everyone responds equally to spinal cord stimulation, for many, it represents a life-changing tool in chronic pain management.” – Austin Horrocks, MD, Pain Management Specialist
Unlike tonic spinal cord stimulation, the Eterna SCS system features Abbott’s proprietary BurstDR stimulation. This technology mimics natural firing patterns in the brain rather than the tingling sensation associated with traditional tonic spinal cord stimulation. 87% of patients prefer the feeling of BurstDR stimulation to that of tonic stimulation, and BurstDR stimulation has been found to reduce pain by 23% more than tonic stimulation. Most patients do not need to feel stimulation (paresthesia) to achieve pain relief with BurstDR stimulation.
What Should I Expect From the Procedure?
“Spinal cord stimulation is unique in that the patient can try out the device before committing to the implant procedure. The trial procedure is performed similarly to an injection where a small wire is guided via X-ray through a needle to where it can best address the patient’s pain areas. If your trial procedure is successful, a permanent device is implanted by our pain management physicians.” – Austin Horrocks, MD, Pain Management Specialist
Following the procedure, you and Dr. Horrocks or Dr. Hurley will determine the level of stimulation that fits your needs and program your Eterna system accordingly.
If you’d like to test out the Eterna system, talk to your doctor about an Abbott spinal cord stimulator implant trial. During the trial, you and your doctor can assess whether the Eterna system provides you with sufficient pain relief and improves your ability to perform everyday activities.
How Long is the Recovery Time After Surgery?
The trial procedure recovery is typically only a few days, similar to an injection.
With the implant procedure, you may experience mild discomfort in the areas where your doctor inserted the leads and battery. However, this sensation will fade within a few days. You should avoid bending, twisting, stretching or lifting objects over five pounds for 6-8 weeks following the surgery or as otherwise instructed by your doctor.
How Soon Will I Notice Benefits from Eterna?
Abbott’s DISTINCT study recorded the following benefits of the Eterna system within patients’ first six months of therapy:
- 91.4% of patients who received SCS therapy obtained significant pain relief or significantly improved function
- 72.6% of patients in the SCS study arm and 85.2% of those implanted achieved a significant reduction in back pain compared to only 7.1% in the conservative medical management arm
- 7 out of 10 patients prefer BurstDR stimulation over traditional tonic spinal cord stimulation
How Long Does an Eterna Implant Last?
The Eterna implant is designed to last a lifetime. Due to Abbott’s Xtend technology, the Eterna SCS system requires as few as five recharges per year through standard use from a wireless charger. That’s up to 95% less charging time required than other rechargeable SCS systems currently on the market!
“Unlike permanent surgeries, the effects of SCS are reversible. The device can be removed if it is no longer needed or effective.” – Austin Horrocks, MD, Pain Management Specialist
Will I Feel the Stimulation?
The Eterna system’s BurstDR technology uses low-energy electrical pulses to relieve chronic pain and the emotional toll it takes on patients. The technology mimics natural patterns found in the brain, so the pulses are less detectable and more comfortable compared to the tingling sensation of tonic spinal cord stimulation. Most patients do not need to feel paresthesia (tingling) to achieve meaningful pain relief!
Is Eterna Covered By Insurance?
Most private U.S. insurance providers, including Medicare, provide full or partial coverage for spinal cord stimulators for patients who meet specific eligibility requirements. During your first consultation with Dr. Horrocks or Dr. Hurley about Eterna, feel free to ask any questions about coverage with your insurance plan.
Meet the Doctors
Dr. Austin Horrocks
Dr. Austin Horrocks is board certified in both pain management and anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology. With extensive experience treating sports injuries, arthritis, joint pain, compression fractures and more, one of his favorite parts about specializing in pain management is seeing his patients enjoy their favorite activities again.
Dr. Richard Hurley
Dr. Richard Hurley has been a board certified pain management specialist for over 35 years. He treats various kinds of chronic pain through spinal cord stimulator implants, facet nerve injections, epidural injections, peripheral nerve blocks, trigger point injections and more. Dr. Hurley served as a regional consultant in spinal cord stimulation for Boston Scientific, further demonstrating his passion for providing patients with medication-free pain management.
With the Eterna spinal cord stimulator system, you can take back control of your life and end your chronic pain. Talk to Dr. Horrocks or Dr. Hurley to see how the Eterna system could change your life for the better. Call (254) 865-2166 to schedule an initial consultation today, and visit the Abbott website for further information on the Eterna system, including spinal cord stimulator reviews, informational videos and more.