title: Recommendations for patient selection in spinal cord stimulation.
abstract: Studies have shown that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can reduce chronic pain by at least 50% over prolonged periods, improve function and quality-of-life, reduce requirements for healthcare resources and enable return to work in appropriately selected patients. However, SCS does not provide pain relief in all patients and is an expensive, labor intensive and invasive procedure with complications and ongoing management that requires specialists with specific skills and judgment. Multidisciplinary selection of appropriate patients for SCS is essential to achieve maximal benefit from the procedure. The aim of the article is to provide a clinical practice guide to the likely effectiveness of SCS in treating various types of chronic pain, as supported by the literature. The article will summarize indications and contraindications for SCS, provide guidance on the selection and timing for referral, and highlight the benefits and complications associated with the procedure.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, 2nd Floor, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 201 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia. leighatkinson@optusnet.com.au
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Atkinson
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Sundaraj
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Brooker
authors: J
authors: J
authors: O'Callaghan
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Teddy
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Salmon
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Semple
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: Majedi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology