Fiona - yes! That would be great for you to pass on this info regarding the techniques your Dr uses.....it'll certainly help our forum learn and be more enlightened!

And thank you Wherewolf, please share what your Rep says to your inquiry.

I think perhaps there is a bit of missing link in the explanation of 'leads' vs 'paddles'.....so maybe Wherewolf could get a clear 'quote' on what his Rep says......

We ALL have 'leads'......the leads are what connect to the battery charge unit (IPG unit).......the difference is HOW the leads were placed.....
Percutaneous leads - placed under the skin using needle via flouroscope (xray). This type of procedure is simple enough for a regular pain management doctor and/or anesthesiologist who've been trained to do it.
whereas
The 'Paddle' lead placement (via 'Laminectomy) is more involved, as it requires a small piece of bone to be cut from the spine to insert the paddles. It requires a Neurosurgeon to do this.

Depending on where the lead placement is within the dorsal column to target the pain, some leads have more electrodes than others and the electrodes are what the Reps can 'tweek' within the programs to give us several options of where the stimulation reaches.....
...something to that effect......
Maybe Wherewolf can give us a more clear account straight from the horses mouth

But, yes we ALL have 'leads'.