Article
Clinical and patients' experiences with rechargeable devices for spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain
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Published: | May 21, 2013 |
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Outline
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Objective: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment option for specific pain syndromes. Since 2006 rechargeable generators are availabe for SCS. The aim of our study was to evaluate the convenience of those devices for the patients.
Method: Twelve patients (6 female, 6 male, mean age 49,8 years) received a rechargeable generator for SCS, after positive clinical testing (improvement of pain > 50%) In five cases a failed back surgery syndrome, in one case a peripheral arterial vessel disease, in two cases a neuropathic radicular pain and in three cases a complex regional pain syndrome and in one case a neuropathic leg pain after a tumor operation was diagnosed. We created a questionnaire to evaluate the patients` contentment and handling of the rechargeable systems. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed.
Results: Initially SCS reduced pain intensity by > 50% of the preoperative VAS and the oral pain medication was diminished. All patients were able to recharge the devices percutaneously without any difficulties. 73% were completely satisfied with the long-term pain reduction. Only 20% were not comfortable concerning frequency and the duration of the recharge procedure. 40% had to recharge their SCS- Devices every 1–2 weeks and 40% every 3–4 weeks. In 20% the battery`s energy maintained for two months or even more. In two cases (17%) we removed the entire system due to ineffective long-term stimulation
Conclusions: Rechargeable generators are well accepted and appropriately handled by preselected patients using spinal cord stimulation.