Spinal Cord Stimulators Aren't Associated with Lower Use of Opioids or Other Pain Interventions

Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) implanted in the epidural space are increasingly recommended for patients with treatment-resistant pain, especially to reduce or eliminate opioid use. Non–industry-funded evidence for their use compared with conventional medical management is modest at best, despite their approval by the U.S. FDA. In this retrospective cohort study, researchers used administrative and pharmacy claims data to examine various outcomes after SCS placement. Nearly 1300 SCS patients were compared to 6300 conventionally managed control patients who were propensity-matched on diagnosis (failed back surgery, complex regional pain, and other chronic painful conditions), baseline use of opioids and other analgesics, comorbidities, and ma…