Electrical (Pain) Thresholds and Conditioned Pain Modulation in Patients with Low Back–Related Leg Pain and Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-547
Author(s):  
Lisa Goudman ◽  
Eva Huysmans ◽  
Iris Coppieters ◽  
Kelly Ickmans ◽  
Jo Nijs ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective When evaluating sensory dysfunctions and pain mechanisms in patients with low back pain (LBP), a specific subgroup of patients with radicular symptoms is often excluded. Comparative studies that evaluate sensory sensitivity in patients with a dominant nociceptive and neuropathic pain component are rarely performed. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine differences in electrical thresholds and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) between patients with low back–related leg pain (LBRLP) and patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting University Hospital Brussels. Subjects Twenty-one patients with LBRLP and 21 patients with FBSS were included. Methods Electrical detection thresholds (EDTs), electrical pain thresholds (EPTs), and CPM were evaluated on the symptomatic and nonsymptomatic sides. Within- and between-group differences were evaluated for all parameters. Results No between-group differences were found for EDT and EPT at both sides. On the nonsymptomatic side, a significantly lower CPM effect was found in the FBSS group (P = 0.04). The only significant within-group difference was an increased EDT at the symptomatic side in patients with FBSS (P = 0.01). Conclusions LBP patients with a primary neuropathic pain component revealed altered detection sensitivity at the symptomatic side, without severe indications for altered nociceptive processing, compared with LBP patients without a dominant neuropathic pain component. Endogenous modulation is functioning in LBP patients, although it is possible that it might only be functioning partially in patients with a dominant neuropathic pain component.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1703
Author(s):  
Ju-Hun Park ◽  
Kang-Eah Choi ◽  
Sang-Gyun Kim ◽  
Hui-Yeong Chu ◽  
Sang-Woon Lee ◽  
...  

Introduction: this study aimed to investigate the long-term clinical efficacy and satisfaction degree of integrative Korean medicine (KM) treatment for patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Methods: we performed a follow-up questionnaire survey and retrospective analysis of medical records for patients with FBSS who underwent inpatient treatment for ≥ 1 week. The primary evaluation indices were numeric rating scale (NRS) scores for low back pain (LBP) and leg pain at admission and discharge. Sub-evaluation indices included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D) score. The follow-up questionnaire survey obtained information regarding previous surgeries; reasons for satisfaction/dissatisfaction with surgical and KM treatment; and current status. Results: compared with at admission, there was a significant post-treatment decrease in the NRS scores for LBP and leg pain, as well as the ODI score. Further, there was a significant post-treatment increase in the EQ-5D score. Regarding the patients’ global impression of change for KM treatment administered during admission and at the follow-up questionnaire survey, 101 (95.3%) patients selected “minimally improved” or better. Conclusion: integrative KM treatment could effectively reduce pain, as well as improve function and health-related quality of life, in patients with FBSS.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3;11 (5;3) ◽  
pp. 333-338
Author(s):  
Asokumar Buvanendran

Background: Failed back surgery syndrome is a common clinical entity for which spinal cord stimulation has been found to be an effective mode of analgesia, but with variable success rates. Objective: To determine if focal stimulation of the dorsal columns with a transverse tripolar lead might achieve deeper penetration of the electrical stimulus into the spinal cord and therefore provide greater analgesia to the back. Design: Case report. Methods: We describe a 42-year-old female with failed back surgery syndrome that had greater back pain than leg pain. The tripolar lead configuration was achieved by placing percutaneously an octapolar lead in the spinal midline followed by 2 adjacent quadripolar leads, advanced to the T7-T10 vertebral bodies. Results: Tripolar stimulation pattern resulted in more than 70% pain relief in this patient during the screening trial, while stimulation of one or 2 electrodes only provided 20% pain relief. After implantation of a permanent tripolar electrode system with a single rechargeable battery, the pain relief was maintained for one year. Conclusion: This is case report describing a case of a patient with chronic low back pain with a diagnosis of failed back surgery syndrome in which transverse tripolar stimulation using an octapolar and 2 quadripolar leads appeared to be beneficial. The transverse tripolar system consists of a central cathode surrounded by anodes, using 3 leads. This arrangement may contribute to maximum dorsal column stimulation with minimal dorsal root stimulation and provide analgesia to the lower back. Key words: Epidural, low back pain, spinal cord stimulation, failed back surgery syndrome, tripolar stimulation


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Higashiyama ◽  
Takuro Endo ◽  
Taku Sugawara

Abstract INTRODUCTION Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment option for low back pain and radicular leg pain of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). In a recent study, high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (HFSCS) was found to be more effective in treating chronic pain than traditional paresthesia-based low-frequency SCS (paresthesia SCS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of paresthesia SCS and HFSCS in improving outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent paresthesia SCS or HFSCS between September 2016 and January 2019. Paresthesia SCS is generally characterized by programming stimulation parameters such that the patient experiences paresthesia, and the paresthesia topography overlaps the pain topography as much as possible. The patient in HFSCS had a placement of cylindrical lead at levels T9-10. Patients were programmed with the electrode overlying the inferior endplate of T9 (+) and the electrode overlying the superior endplate of T10 (–). RESULTS A total of 14 patients (4 males, 10 females) underwent paresthesia SCS implantation. Mean age was 77.2 ± 9.6 yr. A total of 5 patients (2 males, 3 females) underwent HFSCS implantation. Mean age was 78.2 ± 7.5 yr. Operative time was shorter for the HFSCS group compared to the paresthesia SCS group (53.4 ± 4.8 min vs 82.9 ± 20.3 min, respectively; P < .001). A total of 5 out of 5 patients in the HFSCS group (100%) and 10 out of 14 patients in the paresthesia SCS group (71.4%) achieved the outcome of 50% pain relief (P = .25) CONCLUSION To confirm paresthesia during the procedure in the elderly may be complicated by hearing/language difficulties or by sedative-related confusion. Compared to paresthesia SCS, HFSCS allows for lower operative times and a more efficient and accurate positioning of the electrodes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3132
Author(s):  
Jin Young Lee ◽  
Woo Seog Sim ◽  
Ji Yeong Kim ◽  
Yu Ri Ko ◽  
So Young Lee ◽  
...  

Persistent or recurrent back and leg pain following spinal surgery, known as failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), significantly limits daily life activities. A lumbar epidural injection can reduce adhesions, inflammation, and nerve compression, although the epidural space can be distorted due to dura mater and epidural tissues changes after spinal surgery. This study analyzed subdural injection during lumbar epidural injection in FBSS patients. We retrospectively analyzed data from 155 patients who received a lumbar interlaminar epidural injection to manage FBSS. We grouped the patients based on the injected contrast medium appearance in the subdural (group S) or epidural spaces (group E) in fluoroscopic contrast images. Demographic, clinical, surgical and fluoroscopic data were recorded and evaluated, as were the pain scores before and after injection. There were 59 patients (38.1%) in the subdural group. Injection distance from the surgery level differed between the groups. Risk of subdural injection at level 1 distance from the surgery level had an odds ratio of 0.374, and at level ≥2, it was 0.172, when compared to level 0. Subdural incidence differed with the distance from surgical site. Physicians should strive to reduce subdural incidence when the injection is planned at surgery site in FBSS.


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