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This includes therapeutic nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulators, epidural corticosteroid injections, diagnostic spinal assessment, spinal pumps, neuroablation techniques and other implantable therapies1, 3, 36. These methods are typically employed by pain specialists for patients with severe persistent pain.
Spinal cord stimulators
These are implantable devices similar to a cardiac pacemaker, which use mild electrical pulses from leads selectively placed near the spinal cord to interrupt pain signals to the brain. Newer spinal stimulators have rechargeable batteries that are designed to last for at least seven years. These devices are used to relieve intractable pain of the trunk and limbs, including pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome36.
Epidural corticosteroid injections
There is some evidence for a short-term benefit of corticosteroid injections in patients with “sciatica” or radiculopathic (leg) pain3.
Diagnostic spinal assessment
There is some evidence for the efficacy of radiofrequency denervation procedures in the cervical spine and lumbar spine3.
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