Spinal Cord Stimulator vs. More Surgery: Why Phoenix Patients Are Choosing SCS After Failed Back Surgery

The MRI shows it clearly—the fusion didn’t take. Or maybe it did, but you’re still in pain. Your surgeon is suggesting another procedure. Maybe clean out some scar tissue. Perhaps extend the fusion to another level. But deep down, you’re wondering: “What if this surgery fails too?”

You’re not alone in this fear. Studies show that 20-40% of back surgeries fail to provide lasting pain relief. Worse, each additional surgery has diminishing returns—second surgeries have only a 30% success rate, third surgeries drop to 15%, and by the fourth attempt, success rates plummet to just 5%.

There’s another option your surgeon might not have mentioned: Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS). At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, Dr. Asim Khan and Dr. Daniel Ryklin—two of the few physicians in the Valley trained in both SCS and advanced Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation—are helping failed back surgery patients avoid another operation and finally find relief.

Understanding Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

First, let’s be clear: your pain is real, even if your surgery was technically “successful.” Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) doesn’t always mean the surgery went wrong. The fusion might be solid. The disc might be properly removed. But you’re still in pain.

This happens for several reasons:

Scar tissue formation: Surgery creates scar tissue that can compress nerves just like the original problem did. More surgery often means more scar tissue—a vicious cycle.

Adjacent segment disease: When you fuse one level of the spine, the levels above and below work harder, often breaking down within 5-10 years.

Nerve damage: Sometimes nerves are already damaged before surgery, or they get irritated during the procedure. Surgery can’t reverse this damage.

Central sensitization: After months or years of pain, your nervous system becomes hypersensitive. Even after the structural problem is fixed, your nerves keep firing pain signals.

Wrong diagnosis: In 25% of cases, the operated level wasn’t actually the primary pain source.

This is why another surgery often isn’t the answer. You can’t cut out chronic pain that’s become embedded in your nervous system.

How Spinal Cord Stimulation Works Differently

Think of chronic pain like a false alarm that won’t stop ringing. Surgery tries to fix the alarm system by replacing parts. SCS simply interrupts the signal before it reaches your brain.

Dr. Khan explains it this way: “Instead of more cutting, fusing, or removing tissue, we’re placing a device that sends gentle electrical pulses to your spinal cord. These pulses scramble the pain signals before they reach your brain. It’s like noise-canceling headphones for pain.”

The device itself is remarkably small—about the size of a stopwatch—and is implanted under your skin, usually near your hip or abdomen. Thin wires (leads) run to your spine, where they deliver the electrical pulses. You control it with a remote, adjusting the stimulation as needed throughout the day.

Here’s what makes SCS revolutionary for failed back surgery patients:

No structural changes: Unlike surgery, SCS doesn’t alter your anatomy. No fusion, no hardware in your spine, no removal of tissue.

Reversible: If it doesn’t work or you don’t like it, the device can be removed without permanent consequences.

Adjustable: As your pain changes, the programming can be modified. Can’t do that with a fusion.

Trial period: This is the game-changer—you test drive the system before committing.

The Trial That Changes Everything

Imagine if you could try out a surgery for a week before deciding whether to make it permanent. That’s exactly what SCS offers.

The trial process at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute works like this:

Week 1 – Evaluation: Dr. Ryklin or Dr. Khan performs a comprehensive assessment. They review your surgical history, current imaging, and pain patterns. Not everyone is a candidate—they’ll be honest if SCS isn’t right for you.

Week 2 – Trial Placement: Under local anesthesia and light sedation, temporary leads are placed through a needle—no incision required. The procedure takes about 30-45 minutes. You go home the same day with an external battery pack about the size of a cell phone.

Week 2-3 – Test Drive: You live your normal life with the stimulator. Work, exercise (gently), sleep—see how it performs in real-world conditions. Most patients know within 3-4 days if it’s helping. The goal is at least 50% pain reduction, though many achieve 70-80%.

Week 3 – Decision Time: If the trial succeeds, you can schedule permanent implantation. If not, the leads are removed in a 5-minute office procedure. No harm, no foul, no permanent changes.

“The trial period removes all the guesswork,” notes Dr. Ryklin. “Unlike surgery where you hope for the best, with SCS you know if it works before committing.”

Real Patient Story: Avoiding a Third Surgery

Dave, a 52-year-old contractor from Mesa, had already been through two back surgeries. The first, a discectomy at L4-L5, provided relief for about a year. When pain returned, his surgeon recommended fusion. That surgery left him worse than before.

“My surgeon wanted to extend the fusion up two more levels. But I’d already lost so much mobility, and I was still in pain. I couldn’t face another surgery, another recovery, another disappointment.

Dr. Khan suggested trying the spinal cord stimulator. I was skeptical—how could electricity fix what surgery couldn’t? But the trial was incredible. Within two days, I felt better than I had in five years.

The permanent implant was done six weeks ago. I’m back to work, playing with my grandkids, even doing some light hiking. My only regret is that nobody told me about this before my second surgery.”

Who Makes a Good Candidate?

SCS isn’t for everyone, but you might be an ideal candidate if:

You’ve had one or more spine surgeries with inadequate pain relief. This is the classic indication, and insurance companies typically approve SCS after failed surgical treatment.

Your pain is primarily neuropathic (nerve-related). Burning, shooting, electrical pain responds better than dull, aching pain.

You don’t have any remaining surgical options. Or the proposed surgery has low success probability.

You’ve tried conservative treatments. Physical therapy, injections, medications—and they haven’t provided lasting relief.

You’re psychologically stable. Untreated depression or anxiety can affect outcomes.

You don’t have a pacemaker. The devices can interfere with each other, though newer models are becoming compatible.

You’re not satisfied with your current pain medication. Especially if you’re concerned about long-term opioid use.

The Advanced Options: Traditional SCS vs. DRG Stimulation

As two of the few physicians in Phoenix trained in both technologies, Dr. Khan and Dr. Ryklin can offer options most pain doctors can’t.

Traditional SCS works well for:

• Broad areas of back and leg pain
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Diabetic neuropathy

DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion) Stimulation excels for:

• Focal pain in specific areas
• Groin pain after hernia surgery
• Knee pain after replacement
• Foot pain from nerve damage
• CRPS of the foot

“Having both tools means we can match the technology to your specific pain pattern,” explains Dr. Khan. “It’s not one-size-fits-all.”

Insurance Coverage: The Pleasant Surprise

Here’s something that might shock you: insurance, including Medicare, often covers SCS more readily than they cover additional spine surgery.

Why? The math is simple:

Another fusion surgery: $50,000-$150,000 with diminishing success rates SCS implantation: $30,000-$50,000 with 60-80% success rate in properly selected patients Long-term opioid management: Thousands per year plus addiction risks

Insurance companies have figured out that SCS often costs less than repeated surgeries or lifetime pain management. Most require:

1. Failed conservative treatment for at least 6 months
2. Psychological clearance
3. Successful trial (>50% pain relief)
4. No untreated drug addiction

Arizona Pain and Spine Institute’s staff handles the authorization process, and their FastTrack program offers cash-pay options if you don’t want to wait for insurance approval.

Life After SCS: What to Expect

The permanent implantation is an outpatient procedure taking 1-2 hours. Unlike spine surgery, recovery is minimal:

Days 1-3: Rest at home, ice the incision sites, minimal activity Week 1: Return to light activities, no lifting over 5 pounds Weeks 2-4: Gradual increase in activity, device programming adjustments Week 6: Full activity, including exercise and work

The device requires some lifestyle adjustments:

You’ll need to charge the battery (through your skin) weekly or monthly, depending on the model. It’s like charging your phone—you can watch TV or read while charging.

Airport security requires a device card, though newer models are MRI-compatible.

Certain activities like skydiving or contact sports might be restricted.

You’ll have periodic check-ups to adjust programming as your pain patterns change.

Most patients report these minor inconveniences are nothing compared to living with chronic pain or facing another surgery.

Making the Decision: Surgery vs. SCS

When weighing another surgery against SCS, consider:

Another Surgery Means:

• 6-12 week recovery minimum
• Risk of additional nerve damage
• More scar tissue formation
• Permanent anatomical changes
• Decreasing success rates with each procedure
• Potential for adjacent segment disease
• General anesthesia risks

SCS Offers:

• 1-week trial before commitment
• Minimal recovery time
• Reversible if needed
• Adjustable therapy
• No structural changes to spine
• 60-80% success rate in appropriate candidates
• Preservation of future options

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

If you’re facing another back surgery and wondering if there’s a better way, there is. You don’t have to keep cutting to find relief.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Get evaluated: Not everyone is a candidate, but you won’t know without an assessment
2. Try the trial: One week to potentially change your life
3. Make an informed decision: Based on actual results, not hope

Dr. Khan and Dr. Ryklin at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute are among the few Valley physicians with expertise in both traditional SCS and advanced DRG stimulation. They’ll give you an honest assessment of whether you’re a candidate and which technology might work best for your specific pain pattern.

Don’t schedule another surgery without exploring SCS first. Call Arizona Pain and Spine Institute at (480) 986-7246 to schedule your consultation. Ask specifically about the spinal cord stimulator evaluation.

Their FastTrack program can expedite the process if you’re ready to move forward quickly. Many patients complete their trial within two weeks of their first consultation.

Visit their spinal cord stimulator page or learn about alternative treatments to surgery.

You’ve been through enough surgeries. It’s time to try something different.

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Medical disclaimer: Individual results vary. Not all patients are candidates for SCS. This article provides general information about treatment options. Consult with qualified physicians to determine if spinal cord stimulation is appropriate for your specific condition.