Severe Leg Pain Following Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation – A Case Report

Abstract

Following spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implantation, post-operative pain is commonly incisional or neuropathic from neurological damage. Occasionally, this new pain may mimic symptoms due to pre-existing pathology. We present a case of immediate, severe, post-operative leg pain secondary to a lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and subsequent pulmonary embolism (PE) after percutaneous SCS implantation for failed back syndrome. The risk factors of DVT after spine surgery and perioperative prophylaxis will be further discussed with a brief literature review.