Successful treatment of intractable complex regional pain syndrome type I of the knee with dorsal root ganglion stimulation: a case report.

OBJECTIVES To report on the efficacy of dorsal root ganglion stimulation in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 48-year-old woman with CRPS type I of the right knee, diagnosed according to the Budapest criteria set, received DRG stimulation for intractable CRPS type I of the knee. RESULTS After a successful trial period with three DRG stimulation leads on spinal levels L2, L3, and L4 (covering 90% of the painful area of her knee), a definitive pulse generator was implanted. Three months after implantation, the entire painful area was covered, and the patient reported a numeric rating scale score of 1-2. CONCLUSION Placement of three DRG stimulation leads at levels L2, L3, and L4 in a patient with intractable CRPS type I of the knee resulted in major pain relief. We recommend further investigation of the effect of DRG stimulation on pain due to CRPS of the knee.