Pain is an essential protective mechanism designed to prevent tissue damage. However, chronic or persistent pain is long lasting and can lead to long-term disability in patients. Chronic pain may stem from an injury or degenerative conditions. Usually pain is regarded as chronic when it persists for more than 3 to 6 months. Epidemiological studies have reported that chronic pain affects approximately 20% of the European population. Pain can lead to deterioration in family and social life and to a downward spiral of irritability and depression. For these reasons, chronic pain should be treated promptly.
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is recommended for appropriate patients by multiple health technology and government agencies worldwide including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, French Ministry of Health, and the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE), as well as pain specialty organisations such as the International Association for the Study of Pain - Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group (NeuPSIG) and the International Neuromodulation Society.
Intrathecal Drug Delivery (IDD) is recommended by the PACC for some of the following painful conditions: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, back, abdominal/pelvic, trunk, extremities pain and cancer pain or when analgeisic efficacy with systemic opioids is complicated by intolerable side effects.
A reference list of scientific publications is available through ECMT, please contact us if you wish to receive a copy.