Disclosed is an electrode, such as an SCS paddle electrode, having a lead attached thereto along an interior portion of the electrode. The lead and electrode are configured such that the lead may be positioned generally coplanar with a top surface of the electrode, and may likewise be erected from such coplanar orientation up and away from the top surface of the electrode. Thus, the lead can maintain the typical configuration of emerging from the back end of the electrode, but because at least portions of the lead are not permanently bonded into the electrode paddle, the lead (when desired) can be pulled upward, with or without surrounding strain relief material, to emerge from the top surface of the paddle at an angle or curve to such top surface. This allows the base of the paddle to engage a bony opening, such as when the electrode is inserted into a patient's spine, skull, plane of fascia, etc.
