Objective, long-term mobility data in patients with chronic pain after lumbar spine surgery treated with spinal cord stimulation-a prospective, multicenter trial.
Reg Anesth Pain MedOct 5, 2026 (epub)
Tobias Hallén, Kaare Meier, Jan Willem Kallewaard et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicenter clinical trial evaluated the long-term effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on mobility in 50 patients with chronic pain following lumbar spine surgery. Results showed that mobility significantly increased at 12 months post-implantation, particularly in patients with predominant leg pain, with a notable increase from 35±27 to 54±32 minutes of mobility episodes (p=0.011).
Key findings
- Mobility episodes increased from 34±27 min/24 hours at baseline to 54±32 min for leg pain patients at 12 months (p=0.011).
- Mobility improvements were statistically significant at 12 months (p=0.045).
- Increased mobility correlated with reduced self-reported disability (p=0.044) and leg pain (p=0.046).
- Significant improvements in work status and medication usage were observed.
Why it matters
Understanding the long-term benefits of spinal cord stimulation on mobility can help clinicians make informed decisions regarding treatment options for patients with chronic pain, particularly those who have not responded to conventional therapies.