Spinal Cord Stimulation Shown to Be Safe and Effective for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain

This report reviewed 51 clinical studies done over a 20-year period to determine the safety and effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for the treatment of chronic pain of the trunk and limbs. Based on this review it was found that SCS had a positive, symptomatic, long-term effect in cases of angina pain, severe ischemic limb pain secondary to peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathic pain, and chronic low-back pain that have been resistant to treatment. In general, SCS was a safe and effective treatment for a variety of chronic neuropathic conditions. Despite the positive findings, there is an urgent need for randomized, controlled, long-term studies involving larger patient sample sizes. Cameron T. Journal of Neurosurgery. 100(3 Suppl Spine): 254-67, 2004 Mar.