Synopsis

In the largest RCT of SCS for painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), 216 patients with symptoms refractory to conventional treatments were randomized 1:1 to continue with conventional medical management (CMM) alone or add 10 kHz SCS to CMM. Outcomes are durable to 6-month follow-up with 5.4% (5/93) of CMM subjects as pain responders compared with 85.1% (74/87) of 10 kHz SCS+CMM subjects (p < 0.001). Investigators observed sensory improvements in 3.3% (3/92) of CMM subjects versus 61.9% (52/84) of 10 kHz SCS+CMM subjects (p < 0.001). This study provides Level I evidence for high frequency SCS to treat PDN patients with refractory symptoms.

Disclosure

Study funded by Nevro Corp.

Categories

Clinical advancements in pain management,
Bioelectronic medicine

Khalid A. Sethi MD

Department of Neurosurgery, United Health Services

Appearances