10 kHz Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Non-Surgical Refractory Back Pain: A Case Report

Abstract

Back pain is one of the most common healthcare burdens in the United States and is the number one cause of disability worldwide. Treatment options for back pain usually emphasizes conservative modalities such as reassurance, education, physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication management, and interventional pain procedures. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a minimally invasive and reversible therapy used to treat various pain syndromes. The primary indications for SCS therapy are failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. However, recent advances in therapy have expanded the use of SCS for a variety of chronic pain conditions including nonsurgical back pain and radiculopathy. We present the case of a patient with low back and lumbar radicular pain complaints that were not responsive to traditional conservative and interventional options who was successfully treated with 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation.

Utilizing 10kHz Stimulation to Salvage a Failed Low Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Additionally, there is also growing evidence supporting the use of 10kHz SCS for patients with chronic back pain who are not interested in structural surgery or deemed not a surgical candidate. 13,20 When traditional SCS proves ineffective, switching to 10kHz stimulation should be considered. Compared to low frequency SCS, 10kHz stimulation can provide superior pain relief that is sustained along with reduction in opioid consumption.…”