Editor-in-Chief: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, MD, PhD
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BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is useful for treating several intractable pain conditions, such as failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, it is unclear how one stimulator can be used to treat multiple conditions in succession.
CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old man with a history of SCS placement for FBSS following 3 previous lumbar discectomies presented to an outpatient pain clinic with hypersensitivity, discoloration, and edema of the left foot following a fourth lumbar discectomy. This was consistent with CRPS type II of the left foot. The patient’s stimulator settings were then successfully adjusted to immediately provide 30% to 40% of pain relief, resolution of discoloration and edema, and improved walking ability. Three months later, he noted 90% resolution of left foot pain and increased ankle active range of motion.
CONCLUSION: A spinal cord stimulator was successfully used to treat both FBSS and CRPS in succession.
KEY WORDS: Case report, complex regional pain syndrome, failed back surgery syndrome, spinal cord stimulator
