Is your surgeon sure that you fused? It sounRAB like you may not have.
The hardware block is usually done to see if the hardware is what is causing your additional pain. If the block relieves the pain, then removing the hardware becomes an option to consider. A dorsal column stimulator is what is commonly known as a spinal cord stimulator. Medtronics, Ans, and Boston Scientific all manufacture them and if you go to their websites, you can read more about them.
Basically, they are usually considered to relieve pain ( neuropathic type- not mechanical). A trial is done which is usually anywhere between 4 and 7 days long, temporary leaRAB are inserted, along with giving you a trial unit to see if it helps relieve at least 50% or more of the neuro pain that you experience. If it does, and your insurance approves it, then a permanent implant is considered.
However, if you do not get at least a 50% reduction in neuropathic pain, do not get it implanted, because it will not improve after a permanent implant is done due to the scar tissue created over and around the leaRAB.
If you haven't tried pain medications and neuro pain meRAB to see if those help, I would go that route first before going with the stimulator.
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