The Effect of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome / 대한통증학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful, disabling disorder for which no proven treatment has been established. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the evidence of the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the management of pain in CRPS patients. METHODS: Between March 2004 and June 2006, 11 patients with CRPS were treated with SCS. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain (0-10) and pain disability index (PDI) were obtained in all patients prior to treatment, and 1, 3 and 6 months post-implantation. RESULTS: All 11 patients, 5 men and 6 women, with a median age and duration of CRPS of 44 years and 48.8 months, respectively, successfully received a lead implantation for SCS. The mean VAS pain score prior to the treatment was 85.5 out of 100 mm. After SCS implantation, the mean VAS pain scores were 49.5, 57.0 and 56.0 at 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure, respectively. The mean pain score for allodynia was decreased by 50%, with a significant reduction of the PDI also observed after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our current study suggests that SCS implantation is a safe and effective method in the management of CRPS patients.