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Updated: May 26, 2026

Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation
Published on: June 26, 2018
A new spinal cord stimulation system effectively relieves chronic, intractable pain: a multicenter prospective
John C Oakley1, Elliot S Krames, Joshua P Prager
1Yellowstone Neurosurgical Associates, Billings, MT, USA. Pacific Pain Treatment Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; California Pain Medicine Centers, Los Angeles, CA, USA; North Shore University Hospital, Syosset, NY, USA; Advanced Bionics/Boston Scientific, Valencia, CA, USA; Dallas Neurosurgical Associates, Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Back Institute, Plano, TX, USA; and Stanford Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Objectives. A prospective, open label, multicenter clinical trial confirmed the functionality of a new spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system for the treatment of chronic, intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs. Materials and Methods. Sixty-five subjects tested a rechargeable 16-channel SCS system with individual current control of each contact on one or two percutaneous eight-contact epidural leads. After baseline measurements, subjects were tracked on pain ratings and complication rates for up to 18 months. Results. After a trial period, 75% of subjects underwent permanent implantation of the entire SCS system. More than one-half the implanted subjects experienced 50% or greater relief of pain after permanent implantation; some subjects reported relief of 90% or more of their pain. The most common complications after permanent implantation were lead migration, uncomfortable stimulation, and component failure; most resolved after reprogramming or device replacement. Conclusions. The new SCS system provided good pain relief to a majority of subjects, and the results confirm a favorable safety and efficacy profile for the SCS system.

