Spinal Cord Stimulation Helps Relieve Pain by KFYR TV Juli McDonald Dealing with an injury or some form of pain even temporarily can be unbearable. But imagine living with pain everyday all day. I met a patient whose life has been changed by the process. She went home with 80 percent relief from an injury that pained her constantly for years. Two years ago, Dixie Schilling`s life changed, after she slipped on ice and fell. Ever since, she`s lived in pain every single day, despite back surgery, knee repair and pain meds. (Dixie Schilling, Patient): “I was very depressed at points. The pain level was getting to me. I wasn`t able to do a lot at home anymore. I basically did a lot of sleeping.” (Reporter): Dr. Shelley Killen sent Schilling to Dr. Gary Johnson at the St. Alexius Pain Clinic, to see if she was a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. (Dr. Gary Johnson, St. Alexius Pain Specialist): “This is not first line treatment. These are usually people who have tried everything else,” said Johnson. “They`ve tried medication, they`ve had physical therapy but they haven`t had successful pain control.” (Reporter): During the procedure, a small electrode is inserted next to the patient`s spinal cord, and then provides an electric current that actually modifies the pain sensation. Doctors tailor the electrode`s location to exactly where the patient`s pain is, and then the patient goes home with a new tool to control the pain. (Dr. Johnson): “The really nice thing about it is …
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