A simple approach to outcomes assessment of the therapeutic and cost-benefit success rates for spinal cord stimulation therapy.

SCS was found to be cost-effective and therapeutically effective in this study for a majority of patients who had successful trial screening and were determined to be suitable candidates for SCS therapy. This is consistent with prior research if not slightly more encouraging, because typically half of the patients implanted with SCS reported 50% or more pain relief. Strikingly, most patients were considered cost successes. Overall, this study provides continued support that spinal cord stimulation offers the medical community an effective treatment for pain and reduces costs associated with the treatment of chronic intractable pain patients.