Spinal Cord Stimulation Device: A Critical Review

Every year, there are people all over the world who suffer from spinal cord injuries, as well as cerebrovascular diseases. These injuries are often debilitating and result in the loss of partial or complete limb functioning. There are several treatment methods that attempt to provide a cure for these injuries and diseases, but few are completely successful and come without additional complications. One such method is the use of spinal cord stimulator implants, also known as neuromodulators. These implants provide a stimulus to the nerves in the spinal cord, which serves as a signal blocker, which can help reduce pain, but can also serve as an amplification device, to improve motor function control and even regain function in limbs. Several designs exist for such devices; however, none are without additional complications, and no device currently exists which completely restores function or completely nullifies pain. In this article, these devices and their functioning will be discussed, as well as their present shortcomings and efficiency. The potential health improvements, and risks that these devices could cause.