scholarly journals 1-kHz high-frequency spinal cord stimulation alleviates chronic refractory pain after spinal cord injury: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiaki Yamada ◽  
Aiko Maeda ◽  
Katsuyuki Matsushita ◽  
Shoko Nakayama ◽  
Kazuhiro Shirozu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently complain of intractable pain that is resistant to conservative treatments. Here, we report the successful application of 1-kHz high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in a patient with refractory neuropathic pain secondary to SCI. Case presentation A 69-year-old male diagnosed with SCI (C4 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A) presented with severe at-level bilateral upper extremity neuropathic pain. Temporary improvement in his symptoms with a nerve block implied peripheral component involvement. The patient received SCS, and though the tip of the leads could not reach the cervical vertebrae, a 1-kHz frequency stimulus relieved the intractable pain. Conclusions SCI-related symptoms may include peripheral components; SCS may have a considerable effect on intractable pain. Even when the SCS electrode lead cannot be positioned in the target area, 1-kHz high-frequency SCS may still produce positive effects.

2013 ◽  
Vol 247 ◽  
pp. 689-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof E. Kowalski ◽  
Yee-Hsee Hsieh ◽  
Thomas E. Dick ◽  
Anthony F. DiMarco

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 030006052110040
Author(s):  
Kuen Su Lee ◽  
Yoo Kyung Jang ◽  
Gene Hyun Park ◽  
In Jae Jun ◽  
Jae Chul Koh

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used to treat sustained pain that is intractable despite various types of treatment. However, conventional tonic waveform SCS has not shown promising outcomes for spinal cord injury (SCI) or postamputation pain. The pain signal mechanisms of burst waveforms are different to those of conventional tonic waveforms, but few reports have presented the therapeutic potential of burst waveforms for the abovementioned indications. This current case report describes two patients with refractory upper limb pain after SCI and upper limb amputation that were treated with burst waveform SCS. While the patients could not obtain sufficient therapeutic effect with conventional tonic waveforms, the burst waveforms provided better pain reduction with less discomfort. However, further studies are necessary to better clarify the mechanisms and efficacy of burst waveform SCS in patients with intractable pain.


Author(s):  
Andrew D. Gaudet ◽  
Laura K. Fonken ◽  
Monica T. Ayala ◽  
Steven F. Maier ◽  
Linda R. Watkins

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