Ten Consecutive Cases of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of Less than 12 Months Duration in Active Duty United States Military Personnel Treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation

Abstract

In Brief Complex regional pain syndrome describes a constellation of symptoms that may involve the sympathetic nervous system. Emerging consensus recommends early intervention with spinal cord stimulation to facilitate physical therapy. Isolated case reports suggest this may be an effective treatment. Ten consecutive active duty United States military personnel with newly diagnosed complex regional pain syndrome underwent early intervention with spinal cord stimulation with favorable results, including decreased pain scores and decreased opioid intake. Six received injuries directly as a result of service in Iraq or Afghanistan. These patients also had posttraumatic stress disorder, but it did not interfere with successful pain control. Additionally, 6 of 10 patients continued on active duty. IMPLICATIONS: Spinal cord stimulation for refractory complex regional pain syndrome of less than 1 yr duration may be effective as measured by decreased opioid intake, participation with physical rehabilitation, and retention on active military duty. These observations should be interpreted cautiously based on the short duration of postimplantation follow-up and the small number of cases presented.