Neuromodulation Surgery
Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery in Oklahoma City
Dr. Joseph Blythe performs the surgical portions of spinal cord stimulator care, including permanent implantation, generator or battery exchange, revision and removal of existing systems.
Spinal cord stimulation is an implanted neuromodulation treatment used for selected patients with chronic neuropathic pain when appropriate nonsurgical treatment has not provided adequate relief.
Dr. Joseph Blythe performs the surgical portions of spinal cord stimulator care, including permanent implantation, generator or battery exchange, revision and removal of existing systems.
Patient selection and long-term programming commonly involve coordination with the patient's pain-management physician and the device representative.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Procedures Performed
- Permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation
- Paddle-lead implantation when surgically indicated
- Implantable pulse generator placement
- Battery or generator exchange
- Generator-pocket revision
- Lead revision when appropriate
- Partial system removal
- Complete spinal cord stimulator removal
Permanent Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation
Patients considered for a permanent spinal cord stimulator have generally already undergone evaluation by a pain-management physician and completed an appropriate stimulation trial demonstrating meaningful benefit.
Permanent implantation places the stimulation lead or leads and the implantable pulse generator beneath the skin. The specific surgical technique depends on the type of system, lead configuration, anatomy and prior surgery.
Paddle-Lead Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation
Some patients are referred for surgically placed paddle leads. These leads are positioned within the spinal canal through a limited surgical exposure and can provide stable lead positioning when a paddle configuration is appropriate.
Paddle-lead implantation is different from placement of temporary or percutaneously introduced trial leads and requires operative exposure of the spine.
Battery or Generator Exchange
The implanted pulse generator, sometimes simply called the battery, has a finite service life. When the existing leads remain functional and stimulation continues to provide benefit, the generator can often be replaced without replacing the entire system.
Generator exchange may also be considered when a device fails, reaches the end of its service life or requires replacement for another device-specific reason.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Revision
Revision may be considered when the system remains useful but one component is causing a problem.
Examples include generator-pocket pain, hardware prominence, lead problems, generator malfunction or other mechanical issues.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Removal
Removal may be appropriate when stimulation no longer provides meaningful benefit, the patient no longer wishes to use the system, hardware becomes painful or problematic, or another medical issue requires removal.
Removal technique depends on whether the system contains percutaneous leads, surgically implanted paddle leads or both.
Paddle-Lead Removal
Paddle leads are positioned within the spinal canal and can become surrounded by scar tissue. Their removal therefore requires different surgical planning than removal of percutaneous leads.
Previous operative reports and imaging are reviewed whenever available before planning paddle-lead removal.
When Infection Is Suspected
Infection involving implanted spinal cord stimulator hardware requires prompt evaluation. Treatment depends on whether infection is superficial or involves deeper implanted components.
Deep hardware infection may require partial or complete device removal in conjunction with appropriate medical and antimicrobial treatment.
Coordination With Pain Management
Spinal cord stimulation works best as part of coordinated care. Pain-management physicians commonly perform the diagnostic evaluation, stimulation trial, medication management and long-term device programming.
Dr. Blythe's role is surgical: implantation when permanent stimulation has been appropriately selected, and revision, battery exchange or removal when an implanted system requires operative treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can an old spinal cord stimulator be completely removed?
- In many cases, yes. The surgical technique depends on the lead type, previous surgery, scar formation and the location of the implanted components.
- Can just the battery be replaced?
- Yes, when the leads remain functional and the clinical problem is limited to an expired or malfunctioning generator, generator replacement may be appropriate.
- Can a paddle lead be removed?
- Paddle leads can be removed, but they generally require a more involved surgical exposure than percutaneous leads because of their position within the spinal canal and scar tissue that may develop around the implant.
- Will removing the stimulator fix my back pain?
- Not necessarily. Removal eliminates the implanted device, but it does not automatically correct the underlying spinal condition or chronic pain disorder. Determining the current pain generator is an important part of the evaluation.
Medically reviewed by Joseph R. Blythe, DO
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon · Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon · Last reviewed: August 2026
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