Hello,
Could anyone tell me if a SCS can cover SI joint pain? I am finding conflicting information. The SCS sites say it is for leg/nerve pain, but people that have the SCS say it can cover their low back pain. Thank you very much for any help.

Welcome!

Just wanted to let you know that we have a forum here at NT specifically for SCS's and pain pumps. Here's the link to take you there:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...ysprune=&f=118

I have a Medtronic SCS and it covers my RSD in both legs and lower back pretty well (70-75%) and I've been real happy with it for the past 4 yrs.

There is a wide variety of areas which an SCS can cover, depending from which nerve root chain the pain stems from. Ex: mine stems from the sympathetic nerves within the lumbar and thoracic regions, (which is why my lower extremities are in pain - burning pain! ) so my electrodes were inserted via needle at the T12-L1 and were brought up and attached at the T8-T9 interspace.
Sounds like I'm describing a sewing machine

Have you had any Sacroiliac nerve block/steroidal injections to see if you'd respond favorably to them (even if very short-lived)?
If so and you did get pain relief, then I would imagine that the SCS could cover that area. I'm not sure how the electrodes would be placed since your pain is clear down at the pelvic region, but I'm sure it could be done especially if your doctor has suggested this.
The good thing about the SCS is that you would do a trial first to see if this is what you'd want to pursue.

Anyway, come on over to the SCS forum! Lots of info there and great support.
You can find the SCS forum in the main menu listed at the "Medications & Treatments" as a sub-forum.

Caring,
Rae

Thank you rrea for your reply. Should I repost my question in the correct forum? Yes, I did the trial and it worked wonderfully for the nerve pain in my leg...however it did not cover my back pain. I did not know that my back pain was caused by SI joint at the time I did the trial. I have since changed physiatrist and now have the SIJ diagnosis. I had the diagnostic injections and then proceeded to RFA with great results. I am thinking of revisiting the SCS implant. I did not want to get it even though it worked well for my leg if I still had to take pain meds for my back. Now, that they know it is the SIJ...if the SCS could cover both areas...that would be awesome. Also, I did my trial 1.5 years ago and was wondering if any new products or information has come out since then. I will discuss with my MD, but couldn't find info online to confirm that this is possible with SIJ..so thought I'd ask here. Thanks so much for your help.

My SCS did not cover Si joint pain. But everything does depend on where the leads are placed and how well it works for you as everyone is different. I wish the best for you