HFX Neuromodulation

HF10 (10 kHz) Spinal Cord Stimulation — HFX®

Paresthesia‑free relief for chronic nerve pain — offered in Fox River Grove, IL

What is HFX? 

High‑frequency (10 kHz) spinal cord stimulation—often called HFX®—is an FDA‑approved therapy that gently modulates pain signals along the spinal cord without creating tingling sensations (paresthesias). For carefully selected patients, HFX can reduce chronic nerve‑related pain and improve activity, sleep, and quality of life when medications, injections, or surgery have not provided adequate relief.

How effective is HFX? 

• In well selected patients, HFX can be highly effective long term. 

• About 8 in 10 people with chronic pain reported their pain decreased by half or more after HFX in clinical and real‑world studies.
• In one study of chronic back pain (n=156), average pain scores improved from 7.4 before HFX to 2.4 with therapy.
• Over 100,000 patients have received HFX worldwide.

Individual results vary; we’ll personalize expectations based on your history and goals.

Common Conditions & Indications

HFX neuromodulation may be considered when pain has persisted > 6 months and conservative care has not provided enough relief. Typical indications include:

• Chronic low back and/or leg pain (with or without prior spine surgery)
• Radiculopathy/sciatica (nerve root irritation)
• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) / post‑laminectomy pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS I/II)
• Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDN) 
• Peripheral neuropathic pain (e.g., post‑surgical or post‑traumatic nerve pain)

Am I a Candidate?

You may be a good candidate if most of the following apply:

• Pain is primarily neuropathic (burning, shooting, electric, pins‑and‑needles) and limits function
• Symptoms have lasted > 6 months and failed conservative care (PT, medications, injections)
• You are not a candidate for—or did not benefit from—spine surgery
• No active infection, untreated bleeding disorder, or contraindicated implanted devices
• Completed a full diagnostic consultation to ensure no limiting factors are present. 
• Medical factors are optimized prior to pursuing a temporary trial (i.e. blood sugar control, blood pressure, tobacco cessation, anticoagulation plan if on blood thinners, etc). 
• Willing to undergo trial of HFX with a temporary device for 5-7 days before committing to a longer term implant.

The Work‑Up & Screening Process

1. After the 3-7 day trial period, the trial leads are removed in the clinic. If the trial meets your goals (typically ≥50% improvement in pain and/or function), we discuss a long-term implant. If not, we review alternative treatments or next steps.
2. Specialist Consultation: We will perform a comprehensive and thorough review of your past medical history and pain management history including review of prior consultations, diagnostic testing, and prior interventions/surgeries that have been tried. During this time we will also evaluate if neuromodulation is appropriate for your type of pain and set clear expectations. 
3. Standard Screening: We may request updated MRI imaging of the spine to ensure that the procedure is able to be safely performed. It is also customary for patients to have a consultation with a psychologist to ensure we are addressing all components of your pain condition. 
4. HFX Trial (outpatient, 30-45 minutes): We perform the HFX trial in our state of the art office based procedure suite under light sedation by our board certified anesthesia team. The procedure is done under real time image guidance with an X-ray machine for precision and safety. During the trial we access the epidural space with a small needle similar to an epidural steroid injection; however, instead of injecting steroid medication we thread one or two flexible leads into the epidural space which connect to an external battery that sits on the skin. The procedure typically takes 30-45 minutes and you go home the same day.
5. Clinic Follow-up / Lead Pull : After the 3-7 day trial period, the trial leads are removed in the clinic. If the trial meets your goals (typically ≥50% improvement in pain and/or function), we discuss a long-term implant. If not, we review alternative treatments or next steps.

What the HFX Trial is Like (Temporary Test)

Purpose: To “test‑drive” therapy for 5–7 days at home.

Setting & Anesthesia: Outpatient procedure room; local anesthetic with optional light sedation.

Steps: 

1. Under fluoroscopy (live X‑ray), one or two thin flexible leads are placed through a needle into the epidural space over the appropriate spinal levels corresponding with your area of pain. 
2. Leads are secured to the skin and connected to a small external battery worn on a belt or bandage.
3. Our team programs several HFX settings while you are awake and comfortable.
4. You go home the same day with instructions, a diary to track pain/function/sleep, and 24/7 support.

Activity & Care:

• Keep dressings dry; avoid bending/twisting/lifting >10 lb to prevent lead movement.
• Continue normal light activities to gauge real‑world benefit.

Assessing Success:

• We look for meaningful improvement in pain and function (often ≥50% pain relief and/or clear gains in activity and sleep).
• If the trial is beneficial, we schedule the permanent implant. If not, the leads are removed in clinic and other options are reviewed.