[A case of intractable lower limb pain treated successfully by spinal cord stimulation with an electrode inserted...

We experienced a case of intractable lower limb pain successfuly treated by spinal cord stimulation with an electrode inserted retrogradely. The patient is a 32 year-old-man suffering from intractable lower limb pain on the area innervated by the sciatic nerve from unidentified cause for about 4 years. We tried various treatments such as epidural block, S 1 nerve-root block including thermocoagulation technique, opiate. Nevertheless, his pain became worse further. Therefore, 6 years after the onset of the symptom, we tried to stimulate electrically the nerve with an electrode inserted retrogradely. This method of spinal cord stimulation produced enough pain reduction. The method of retrograde insertion of an electrode for spinal cord stimulation seems to be a good way to treat intractable pain of the area innervated by a single spinal nerve.