A Case Study of Combined Perception-Based and Perception-Free Spinal Cord Stimulator Therapy for the Management of Persistent Pain after a Total Knee Arthroplasty

We present a 71-year-old Caucasian non-Hispanic male who presented with chronic left knee pain after undergoing a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) 18  months prior. Following his TKA, he reported doing well in the acute post-operative period but began to develop progressively worsening left knee pain at approximately the third post-operative week. He underwent a successful spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trial and subsequent implantation of two 16- contact Boston Scientific leads with a Boston Scientific Spectra WaveWriterTM SCS system. Upon first post-procedural follow-up, and moreover at his 6-month follow-up, the patient reported complete resolution of his symptoms.DiscussionThe development of persistent pain following TKA is a significant complication that is often challenging to treat. Our case demonstrated the successful treatment of CRPS in the knee with the use of combination therapy in spinal cord stimulator therapy. We anticipate that more data will continue to emerge to assess for the safety and efficacy of combination therapy.
Source: Pain and Therapy - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research