A Systematic Review on the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain with Spinal Cord Stimulation

Abstract

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a challenging chronic pain syndrome to treat with pharmacologic agents being first line of management. However, when these agents fail to provide pain relief, other interventions must be considered in a clinical setting. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been shown to provide analgesia in PLP, and should be considered by clinicians. Methods: This PRISMA systematic review analyzes the efficacy of SCS for treatment of PLP. Results: After review of 12 studies, there are mixed results to base a conclusion on. Discussion: While there is some evidence of efficacy, due to the relatively small number of patients in each study, further research is needed to demonstrate the benefits of SCS for PLP.

KEYWORDS:

• neuromodulation
• phantom pain
• spinal cord stimulation

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.