An electrical stimulation lead includes a paddle body, at least one lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length with the distal end of the lead body coupled to the paddle body. The lead further includes fixation elements and electrodes. The fixation elements are disposed entirely within the paddle body and the electrodes are disposed on the paddle body. Each of the electrodes includes a stimulating element with an exposed stimulation surface, and a piercing element extending from the stimulating element into the paddle body and making contact with at least one of the fixation elements. Further, the lead includes terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body and conductor wires electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminals. In addition, methods of making stimulation leads using sacrificial portions of electrodes are presented.
