Practice Parameters for the Use of Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain

Health Care Use

Reduction in the use of health care resources is a secondary outcome of SCS treatment.  It is possible that a patient will experience excellent pain relief only with the addition of SCS to a pre-existing treatment regimen.  On the other hand, some patients require SCS therapy as a replacement for a treatment that sucessfully relieves pain but causes adverse effects.

Health-care resource consumption, including the need for additional interventions, is measured by patient self-report, medical records, and/or tracking patient cross-over to an alternative treatment (e.g., from SCS to reoperation).  Some instruments, such as the Medication Quantification Scale, might be useful in tracking consumption of specific health-care resources.

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Abstract

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Abstract

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Abstract | Wikistim Entry

Reduction in medication use in long-term follow-up studies

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Reduction in medication use in short-term follow-up studies

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Kumar A, Felderhof C, Eljamel MS. Spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of refractory unilateral limb pain syndromes. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 81(1-4):70-74, 2003.
Abstract | Wikistim Entry

De Mulder PA, te Rijdt B, Veeckmans G, Belmans L. Evaluation of a dual quadripolar surgically implanted spinal cord stimulation lead for failed back surgery patients with chronic low back and leg pain. Neuromodulation 8(4):219-224, 2005.
Abstract | Wikistim Entry

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Abstract | Wikistim Entry

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Abstract | Wikistim Entry

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Abstract | Wikistim Entry

No reduction found in medication use

Burchiel KJ, Anderson VC, Brown FD, Fessler RG, Friedman WA, Pelofsky S, Weiner RL, Oakley J, Shatin D. Prospective, multicenter study of spinal cord stimulation for relief of chronic back and extremity pain. Spine 21(23):2786-2794, 1996.
Abstract | Wikistim Entry