Women of child-bearing age who are candidates for trial and possible implantation of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) may express concerns regarding its effect on their ability to become pregnant, to maintain a pregnancy and to breastfeed. Despite the large number of SCS implanted worldwide there is a paucity of data regarding its effect on fertility and the course of the pregnancy. We describe a...

Up to 30% of patients who undergo surgery for lumbar disc disease experience recurrent symptoms postoperatively.1 2 This so-called 'failed back syndrome' is a complex phenomenon influenced by organic, psychological, economic and social factors.3,4 Radiological examination is frequently requested in order to exclude-an anatomical basis for the patient's complaints3 (Table 1). Re -exploration in ...

INTRODUCTION This observational study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (um-PEA) (Normast®) administration, as add-on therapy for chronic pain, in the management of pain-resistant patients affected by failed back surgery syndrome. METHODS A total of 35 patients were treated with tapentadol (TPD) and pregabalin (PGB). One month after the start of st...

Spinal surgery, particularly spinal fusion surgery, alters the anatomy of the spine and hence, may increase the difficulty of performing an interventional spine procedure. Transforaminal epidural procedures have gained popularity as an alternative to interlaminar epidural steroids in the management of radicular pain syndromes. Patients with failed back surgery syndrome are often excluded or rep...