The SCS Institute of Altoona, PA
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) offers a promising approach to managing chronic pain for individuals whose lives are disrupted by persistent discomfort. This advanced technique uses a small device to deliver gentle electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain.
SCS Digital Guide
A comprehensive guide to the TMS treatment and what you can expect before, during and after treatment.
Treatment Resources
Learn more about SCS treatment plans, studies, and more!
The SCS Trial
Candidate for Treatment
The Science for SCS
Contact Us
Everyone has different healthcare needs and we strive to listen and inform so that are patients are empowered to make the best decision for their health.
Board Certified Spinal Cord Stimulation Doctors Altoona Pennsylvania
The primary outcome is to improve quality of life and overall functionality through comprehensive and minimally invasive treatments. We strive to treat each and every patient as “family” and promotes an individualized treatment paradigm. The secondary outcome is to provide superior patient service to address any and all concerns in a timely manner in order to provide comfort and satisfaction.
Meet Our Doctors
At the SCS Institute we concentrates on providing superb patient care to those who suffer from moderate to severe pain. Our doctors and staff take extra time to get invested in your health history and unique circumstances.
Everyone has different healthcare needs and we strive to listen and inform so that are patients are empowered to make the best decision for their health.
Comprehensive Care
Our practice aims to provide everything needed for comfort and health. Your quality of life is greatly affected if you’re suffering from agonizing back pain, neck pain, throbbing headaches or facial pain. Fortunately you don’t have to live in chronic daily pain. We can help.
After-Care Followups
Our doctors will check your condition and progress over time. We’ll schedule sessions to ensure positive treatment results over an extended period of time.
Convenient Locations
We have state-of-the-art medical centers in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia with bright and spacious rooms that provide a peaceful, clean, and calming energy.
Sudhir Rao, MD
Suhas Badarinath, MD
Here are a few frequent questions that we get about SCS therapy. If you don't see your question here then you can ask us directly using the link here.
Yes. Most insurance companies cover this treatment for post-laminectomy syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, diabetic painful neuropathy.
Yes. The goal for the stimulator trial is to assess pain relief and improvement to functionality. We are looking for 50% or greater improvement. If the trial was successful, then the permanent implant should be successful as well.
Yes these devices are now MRI compatible. We make sure that we choose the correct device for specific medical conditions that may need further imaging.
Devices with rechargeable batteries that are at the end of their service life will send an alert that a replacement is needed. The device will still work during this time, but it is time to contact your doctor get a replacement.
Yes, the stimulator can controlled by the patient using a programmer that acts as a remote control.
Yes, you can travel and move to another part of the country. We utilize international companies and have customer service reps throughout the country.
The devices have rechargeable battery as well as non rechargeable options.
The rechargeable battery has an external charger that the patient wears around their waist. And to charge the device.
Once a patient has been identified for an SCS trial, then next step is to obtain authorization from the insurance company. This authorization process may require a psychiatric evaluation, which we can facilitate.
SCS Treatment Overview
Treatment Overview
We use neurostimulation devices from Medtronic for our Spinal Cord Stimulation services. Check out this educational video to learn more about treatment: