Spinal Cord Stimulation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pain Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic, debilitating pain condition often affecting limbs post-injury or surgery.
• Refractory CRPS presents significant challenges in pain management.
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an emerging therapeutic option for managing CRPS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on SCS for treating CRPS.
• To explore the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of SCS in CRPS patients.
• To discuss advancements and future directions of SCS in pain management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on SCS for CRPS.
• Analysis of studies on SCS mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and safety profiles.
• Examination of technological advancements and patient selection strategies.

Main Results:

• SCS demonstrates potential for significant pain relief in CRPS.
• Evidence suggests SCS improves functional outcomes and quality of life.
• SCS therapy is associated with potential risks, including surgical complications and hardware issues.

Conclusions:

• SCS is a promising intervention for refractory CRPS, offering targeted pain modulation.
• Ongoing advancements in neuromodulation refine SCS therapy for CRPS.
• SCS plays an evolving role in multidisciplinary pain management strategies for CRPS.