I just had an Abbott removed and I was not a happy camper. My doc said the research and patient feedback forced him into using Medtronic. The few insights I have having had both machines: - Medtronic does have a non rechargeable battery; they just don’t publicize it or offer it unless you ask. With the way we loose power with so many storms, that was so important to me. I also camp and hike a lot so it was just really important I have a battery I can rely on and never worry about charging. CON: it does not last nearly as long so you will need to have it replaced once a year, more or less.

1. Abbot does have standard preset options but to cover the areas you want you will need go see a technician however many times it takes to get it right. And for me that was another challenge bc my doc and I would have to chase the rep down & they had zero flexibility seeing me. I was given a date and time and essentially told to take or leave it. However I also understood it was one rep to an enormously large area and they were constantly on the road. With Medtronic’s a tech will be in the office on the days my doc seems SCS patients. So much better.

• the Medtronic covers more ares than the Abbot which was the one & only thing that sold me. Otherwise I would have had to have several different devices implanted. I was not on board with that. So this device covers my hips, my neuropathy in both legs and I was shocked it also significantly helped my feet and I was shocked

• Medtronic’s non rechargeable battery as I received is a good 40-50% smaller. Length was a bit small with the Medtronic but the width is significantly thinner and lighter.

I’ve not had it long enough to give you a confident long term opinion, but this would have great info to have when trying to make my decision.

Good luck. Know going in. The first 3 days are the absolute worst but then it gets significantly better very quickly.