How Much Does Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery Cost?

Spinal Cord Stimulator Cost in India: Breakdown of Expenses & Factors

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a way to treat wide variety of chronic pain conditions by sending small electrical signals to the spinal cord. These signals help in blocking pain messages before they reach the brain.

Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator has become a standard treatment for patients with chronic pain. It is an implanted device that is primarily used to manage severe chronic pain. It sends low levels of electricity directly into the spinal cord to relieve pain. It is used when non surgical treatments like medications, physical therapy, or surgery fail to provide relief to the patient.

It consists of the following:

• A pulse generator: It is tinybattery-powered device that sends electrical signals.
• Leads: These are thin wiresthat are placed close to the spinal cord.
• A handheld remote to adjust stimulation settings.
• Common Conditions Treated with SCS

Spinal cord stimulators is performed to treat or manage various kinds of chronic pain, such as:

• Back pain
• Post-surgical pain
• Arachnoiditis
• Injuries to the spinal cord
• Pain related to Nerve
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Pain after an amputation
• Visceral abdominal pain and perineal pain

Types of Spinal Cord Stimulators

The types of  Spinal Cord Stimulators are listed below:

1. Traditional SCS: Uses low-frequency pulses.
2. High-Frequency SCS : Reduces tingling sensation.
3. Burst Stimulation : Mimics natural nerve patterns.
4. Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation: It focuses on specific nerve bundles.

Average Cost of Spinal Cord Stimulator in India

In India, Spinal Cord Stimulation price may start from INR 20,02,000 (approx USD 24,000). In India the prices of healthcare costs are typically lower than other countries. The price can differ with respects to factors such as the hospital, device type,  surgeon expertise, and location.

Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Cost in different Indian cities:

Risks of Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery

The following are the risks or complications of Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery

• Infection at the implant site
• Device malfunction or lead migration
• Pain at the implant site
• Nerve damage
• Allergic reaction to device materials
• Need for revision surgery

What are the limitations with a spinal cord stimulator?

Patients can be told to avoid high impact activities because these movements can displace the electrodes and affect the performance of the device.

Some of the main activities are:

• Heavy lifting
• Twisting, or bending
• jumping or running

What Affects the Price of Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery?

1. Type of Facility: The type of medical facility where the procedure is done affects the cost. Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) is a cheaper option because they do not require overnight stay. On the other hand, if your procedure is done in a hospital, and it requires an overnight stay at the hospital, the bill will be higher. Hospitals charge more for rooms, staff, and equipments.
2. Your Insurance Plan:Your insurance plan can impact the amount you pay for spinal cord stimulator surgery.
3. The Device Type: All the spinal cord stimulators are the not same. There are many devices which come up with more advanced features like rechargeable batteries or the ability to be used safely during an MRI scan. These fancy features can cost you more.
4. The location you live in: Your location also affect the cost of spinal cord stimulator surgery. If you live in big cities, the prices can be higher than those living in small cities. Note, different states also have different healthcare costs.

Different Ways to Reduce the Cost of Spinal Cord Stimulators

• Choose an In-Network Provider
• Compare Device Options
• Negotiate Payment Plans
• Consider Clinical Trials
• Explore Medical Tourism

Summing Up

Spinal cord stimulator surgery provide significant relief to patients with severe chronic pain. The average cost of a spinal cord stimulator in India depends on the hospital and type of device. There are many top notch hospitals that offer high-quality implants with experienced surgeons.