There are no studies as yet specifically investigating the application of DRG stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain affecting the upper limbs. The investigators propose to investigate the effect of dorsal root stimulation in patients with chronic hand or upper limb pain.
Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation is a form of Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), which has been available and used for the treatment of chronic pain in Europe since late 2011. Clinical practice and pre/post market studies have shown that stimulation of the DRG can significantly reduce chronic intractable pain of various aetiologies. However, there are no studies as yet specifically investigating the application of DRG stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain affecting the upper limbs. Furthermore, there are very few studies of SCS generally, in an upper limb pain population, despite this being a group often referred for and treated with SCS in tertiary, interventional pain practices. Due to several limitations of traditional SCS systems, chiefly concerning the stability of stimulation induced paraesthesia, DRG stimulation is being increasingly utilised in its place for this condition.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
5
Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep
Alkmaar, North Holland, Netherlands
Academic Medical Center
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Diakonessenhuis
Zeist, Utrecht, Netherlands
Pain reduction
Pain measured on a 10cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 \[no pain\] and 10 \[worst possible pain\] imaginable
Time frame: 5 years
Comfort of stimulation
Via novel questionnaire patient will validate sensation of paresthesia in different body positions
Time frame: 5 years
Quality of life
EuroQol-5D, Short Form-36
Time frame: 5 years
Sleep Quality
Using novel Amsterdam Sleep Questionnaire for patients with a neurostimulator
Time frame: 5 years
Subject satisfaction
Global Perceived Effect Scale
Time frame: 5 years
Pain medication utilization
Medication usage before and after implantation will be registered
Time frame: 5 years
Safety
Long term follow up of device related adverse events
Time frame: 5 years
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