Boston Scientific WaveWriter Alpha™ Spinal Cord Stimulator System

PROFOUND. PROVEN. DIFFERENT.

Spinal Cord Stimulation with the Boston Scientific WaveWriter Alpha™ System

Living with chronic pain can take time, energy, and moments away from the people and activities that matter most. When pain persists despite medications, injections, physical therapy, or even surgery, spinal cord stimulation may offer another path forward.

The Boston Scientific WaveWriter Alpha™ Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) System is an FDA-approved, drug-free therapy designed to help manage chronic pain in the back, legs, and feet. It is used by pain specialists worldwide to help patients reduce pain and regain function when other treatments have not provided lasting relief.

Who May Benefit from Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is typically considered for people with chronic, intractable pain that has lasted months or years and has not responded well to conservative care. This may include pain associated with conditions such as:

• Chronic low back and leg pain
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the lower extremities
• Certain types of nerve related pain (radicular pain or neuropathic pain)

Your doctor will carefully evaluate your medical history, imaging, and prior treatments to determine whether SCS may be appropriate for you. Not every patient is a candidate, and a thoughtful evaluation is an essential first step.

How the WaveWriter Alpha™ SCS System Works

Pain signals travel from nerves in the body through the spinal cord to the brain. Spinal cord stimulation is designed to interrupt these signals before they reach the brain.

The WaveWriter Alpha System includes:

• Thin, flexible leads that are placed near specific nerves along the spinal cord
• A small implantable stimulator that delivers mild electrical pulses
• Programming options that allow therapy to be tailored to your unique pain patterns

These gentle pulses modify how pain signals are transmitted, which may reduce or, for some patients, significantly lessen the pain they feel. Many people describe the therapy as working in the background, helping them move and function more comfortably throughout the day.

Personalized Therapy for Your Unique Pain

Pain is not the same for everyone, and it can change over time. One reason physicians choose the WaveWriter Alpha System is its ability to deliver multiple types of stimulation and customize therapy to each patient.

Your doctor and a dedicated Boston Scientific Clinical Specialist work together to fine-tune the settings so the therapy targets your specific pain areas. Adjustments can be made over time as your needs change, helping maintain relief and comfort.

Patients control their therapy using the mySCS™ GO Therapy Controller, a simple handheld or smartphone-based system that allows you to turn therapy on or off and adjust settings within safe, prescribed ranges.

Try the Therapy Before Committing

One of the most important features of spinal cord stimulation is that you can test it first.

Before a permanent implant is considered, most patients undergo a temporary trial. During this trial:

• Leads are placed using a minimally invasive procedure similar to an epidural injection
• The leads are connected to an external stimulator worn outside the body
• You evaluate the therapy during everyday activities for several days

This trial allows you and your doctor to see whether SCS meaningfully reduces your pain before deciding whether to proceed with a permanent implant. For many patients, this trial provides clarity and confidence in their decision.

What the Implant Procedure Is Like

If the trial is successful, the permanent system can be implanted. The procedure is typically less invasive than traditional spine surgery and is reversible if needed.

The stimulator is placed under the skin, usually in the lower back or buttock area, and connected to the leads. After implantation, your care team programs the system and continues working with you to optimize your therapy.

Most patients return home the same day or shortly thereafter and resume normal activities gradually under their doctor’s guidance.

Living with a WaveWriter Alpha™ SCS System

Many patients appreciate that spinal cord stimulation is drug free and designed for long-term use. The WaveWriter Alpha System is available in rechargeable and non-rechargeable options, depending on your needs and preferences.

The system is also designed to support modern medical care. Under specific conditions, the WaveWriter Alpha System allows for full-body MRI scans, which is an important consideration for many patients managing chronic conditions over time.

Is Spinal Cord Stimulation Covered by Insurance?

Spinal cord stimulation is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare and many commercial insurers, when medical criteria are met. Our office will work with you and your insurance provider to obtain prior authorization and guide you through the process.

Taking the Next Step

If chronic pain is limiting your life and current treatments are no longer helping, spinal cord stimulation may be worth exploring. A consultation does not commit you to a procedure. It simply opens the door to a thoughtful conversation about whether this therapy could be appropriate for you.

Our team is here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you make an informed decision based on your goals and your health.

Patient testimonial videos