Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
04:42
Treating Low Back Pain in Failed Back Surgery Patients with Multicolumn-lead Spinal Cord Stimulation
Published on: June 26, 2018
Spinal cord stimulation for intractable pain following limb amputation
John McAuley1, Richard van Gröningen, Christopher Green
1Department of Neurostimulation, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK. Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
Neuromodulation : Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
|September 27, 2012
Summary
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) offers long-term pain relief for some patients with amputation-related pain. While effective for many, technique refinement is needed for optimal outcomes in chronic pain management.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pain Management
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been utilized since the 1970s for managing chronic intractable pain post-limb amputation.
- Ongoing after-care is crucial for assessing the long-term effectiveness of SCS in this patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the long-term effectiveness of SCS for amputation-related pain.
- To assess outcomes in patients managed over a 20-year period at a specialized clinic.
Main Methods:
- Twelve patients with amputation-related pain received epidural quadripolar paddle electrodes.
- Electrodes were connected to implanted, remotely controlled stimulators (Medtronic).
Main Results:
- Five out of 12 patients experienced sustained pain relief, with a mean reduction of 66%.
- Visual analogue pain scores remained consistent throughout the follow-up period.
- Successful stimulation often required adjustments to electrode contacts; revision procedures were successful.
Conclusions:
- Spinal cord stimulation is a viable treatment for amputation-related pain resistant to other therapies.
- Continued use of SCS is warranted, with an emphasis on refining surgical and technical approaches.
