Frequency Effectiveness of Spinal Column Stimulators in the Treatment of Chronic Lower Back and Lower Extremity Pain

Authors

Andrew W. Sauer, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Primary Care / Interventional Pain

Advisor

Bejan Joseph Daneshfar M.D.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review analgesia provided by both high and low-frequency spinal column stimulation for patients with a diagnosis of chronic lower back pain and/or chronic lower extremity pain. This article will also explore the data concerning the effectiveness of both types of stimulation and determine which is the most effective.

Method: Various sources were searched, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the National Institutes of Health databases. Various search terms included spinal column stimulation for use in chronic lower back pain, spinal column stimulation for use in lower extremity pain, high frequency spinal column stimulation, low frequency spinal column stimulation, method of action of high frequency spinal column stimulation, method of action of low frequency stimulation, efficacy of high frequency spinal column stimulation, efficacy of low frequency spinal column stimulation. Searches were limited to information and trials pertaining to chronic lower back pain as well as chronic lower extremity pain only.

Results: Recent studies have shown that the use of high-frequency spinal column stimulation is superior to traditional low-frequency stimulation due to its unique method of action within the spinal column.

Conclusion: Based on this literature review, it appears that high frequency enabled devices are superior to traditional low-frequency devices in terms of chronic lower back pain and chronic lower extremity pain. This may be due to the unique method of action that high-frequency stimulation utilizes. High-frequency devices also lack paresthesias that are commonly found in low-frequency devices.

Recommended Citation

Sauer AW. Frequency Effectiveness of Spinal Column Stimulators in the Treatment of Chronic Lower Back and Lower Extremity Pain. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2020; 2(2).