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Spine Stimulation Has Mixed Results On Workers Compensation Individuals With Failed Back Surgery

A recent study involving individuals on workers compensation benefits because of back injuries shows that there is not much benefit overall for the use of spine stimulation after failed back surgery.  Although, some individuals did see some results from spine stimulation the results were not consistant enough to show much hope for the procedure for all individuals. 

Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure in which implanted electrodes send small electrical pulses into the spine.  This procedure has been used to the 1960's but the long term effects of the procedure still remain unknown so the a study was conducted by Dr. Ajay D. Wasan of Bringham and Woman's Health Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. 

Overall the study showed that spinal cord stimulation for chronic back pain was beneficial for 30 percent of those who underwent permanent implantation of the electrodes.  Those who found the spinal cord stimulation helpful showed improvement in pain and in functionality of the legs after 2 years.  The study pointed to the process of spinal cord stimulation being used in failed back surgeries useful for people mainly who have pain radiating on one side of the body, those who are functioning better better before undergoing the procedure and those in better psychological health.