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Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation
Published on: June 26, 2018
Managing chronic pain with spinal cord stimulation.
Lawrence J Epstein1, Marco Palmieri
1Department of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. lawrence.epstein@mountsinai.org
The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York
|January 13, 2012
Summary
Spinal cord stimulation effectively treats chronic pain by reducing pain levels and improving quality of life. This cost-effective therapy offers an alternative to medications for conditions like failed back surgery syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was initially a last resort for intractable cancer pain.
- It is now widely used for various chronic pain conditions, including failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
- SCS involves stimulating epidural electrodes to induce paresthesias, thereby reducing pain perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history and pathophysiology of spinal cord stimulation.
- To evaluate the evidence for SCS efficacy in common clinical practice.
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of SCS compared to conservative management.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical data and scientific literature on spinal cord stimulation.
- Analysis of clinical outcomes, including pain reduction and functional improvement.
- Examination of cost-effectiveness studies comparing SCS with traditional treatments.
Main Results:
- Spinal cord stimulation effectively reduces pain and improves quality of life and function for patients with chronic pain.
- Strong evidence supports the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of SCS for intractable angina, FBSS, and CRPS.
- Paresthesia induction via epidural stimulation offers pain relief without analgesic side effects.
Conclusions:
- Spinal cord stimulation is a valuable treatment for various chronic pain conditions, offering significant benefits over conservative management.
- Evidence supports SCS efficacy and cost-effectiveness in specific indications like FBSS and CRPS.
- Further review of evidence is ongoing for broader clinical applications.
