Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Treatment Option for Diabetic Pain

Results from a prospective multicenter study suggest that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be an effective treatment option for painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDPN) that affects up to 25% of people with diabetes. The study concluded that SCS reduced lower extremity pain in 55% patients with PDPN for up to 5 years following start of treatment, and that 80% of PDPN sufferers continued to use their SCS devices after 5 years. The study also noted a positive correlation between severity of neuropathy and likelihood of treatment failure with the SCS approach.

The findings were published online last month in the journal Diabetes Care.< The study evaluated 48 patients with PDPN as determined by the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score to assess efficacy and complications arising from SCS treatment. Treatment success was defined as 50% or greater reduction in reported pain rating core during the 5-year follow-up period. Investigators acknowledged limitations in the study including absence of a control group, and that their findings did not include patients who had their SCS device removed during the course of the follow-up period.

Read a news story about the findings.

The journal abstract may be read here.

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