Spinal Cord Stimulator Risks

Spinal cord stimulators have been used since 1967 to help people relieve pain and improve ambulation. However, studies reveal that 30% to 40% of patients report one or more complications after using a device. Spinal cord stimulator risks include problems with ineffectiveness of the device or worsening of pain, electric shock, burns, urinary incontinence or retention, lead wire fracture and migration, gastroparesis, and paralysis or permanent loss of motor control. 

Spinal cord stimulator dangers may include the following:

• Battery problems or depletion: When batteries fail, pain returns. Another surgery may be needed to replace the battery or the stimulator. There may also be problems with liquid becoming trapped in the device during the manufacturing process, or the hermetic seal failing. 
• Burns: Issues with liquid entering the device via defective seals or manufacturing issues can lead to burns. Burns may be severe and internal.
• Central nerve sensitization: This is a condition where the brain and spinal cord become hyper-reactive to pain signals, even after an injury has healed.
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak: Stimulator parts can pierce the dura mater that covers and protects the spinal cord and brain, causing cerebral spinal fluid leaks., These leaks can cause neck and shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and changes in vision and behavior.
• Death
• Device failure or loss of pain relief: Some patients report device failure or insufficient pain management from the device.
• Dysphasia: A language disorder characterized by trouble reading, speaking, writing or understanding communication.
• Hardware malfunction: Can cause a change in stimulation and the return of pain. Malfunctioning parts can also cause nerve damage. These and other injuries may require surgery to correct. 
• Incontinence: Incontinence may become an issue with damage to bowel nerves or paralysis.
• Infection
• Lead migration/electrode displacement: Lead wire migration is one of the most common risks of spinal cord stimulator implants. Electrodes can also become displaced and migrate. Migration can cause neurological injuries and epidural hematoma. 
• Loss of bladder control
• Loss of bowel function or control
• Loss of extremity control
• Nerve damage and neurological injury: Components of a spinal cord stimulator can cause trauma to the nerves. This damage can cause neurological injuries that affect motor and sensory control and control over bodily functions. 
• New or worsening pain: Caused by nerve-related complications and other device-related injuries. 
• Paralysis (quadriplegic or paraplegic)
• Scarring
• Shocks: Issues with liquid entering the device via defective seals or manufacturing issues can lead to shocks.
   

Spinal cord stimulator risks often occur after implantation and over the long term:,,

• Following Implantation: Patients may experience nerve injuries, electrical shock, paralysis, and pain shortly after implantation. 
• Long-term: Long-term effects of spinal cord stimulators often involve problems with the device itself. Device issues include lead or electrode migration, failure or battery problems. These hardware problems can cause new and worsening pain, permanent nerve damage and lasting neurological injuries, including paralysis. 

Patients who must have a device taken out or replaced can also suffer from spinal cord stimulator removal complications. These include surgical risks, such as infections, pain from the procedure and a return of their original pain.

A spinal cord stimulator injury could lead to a lawsuit if a patient is severely harmed by a device defect, device malfunction, or a failure to warn about an undisclosed spinal cord stimulator risk. 

People filing spinal cord stimulator injury lawsuits allege that Boston Scientific Corporation and other device makers didn’t comply with regulatory requirements when manufacturing stimulators. 

Some spinal cord stimulator cases filed in federal court have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The official name of the case is In re: Boston Scientific Corporation Spinal Cord Stimulator Products Liability Litigation, MDL 3181. Judge Josephine L. Staton is the presiding judge. As of September 2026, the MDL had 29 pending actions. Additionally, there is currently a petition to consolidate additional spinal cord stimulator cases against device manufacturers Abbott Laboratories and Nevro into MDL 3181.

For decades, Motley Rice has advocated for clients harmed by defective medical devices. If a defective spinal cord stimulator hurt you or someone you love, you may qualify for a spinal cord stimulator injury lawsuit. Our attorneys could:

• Assess the adequacy of spinal cord stimulator warning labels
• Assess compliance with FDA regulations 
• Investigate manufacturing defects
• Investigate the connection between your spinal cord stimulator and your injuries
• Litigate your claim in court

Read more on our medical device litigation experience.