NICE issues positive guidance on spinal cord stimulation

Published: 10/22

LONDON, UK - (HealthTech Wire / News) - In a Technology Appraisal Guidance issued today the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) concludes that spinal cord stimulation in the management of chronic pain of neuropathic origin can be considered a “cost-effective use of NHS resources”.

Dr Simon Thomson of the International Neuromodulation Society said:

“This determination is welcomed by all neuropathic pain stakeholders and will bring significant relief to patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, who have not responded to conventional treatments. The challenge will now be the implementation of the Guidance so that the appropriate number of procedures is commissioned and referring physicians are aware of this effective and cost-effective treatment option”

Under the new guidance patients who continue to experience chronic pain for at least 6 months, despite the use of conventional pain management, will now be able to access this highly effective treatment. The resulting Guidance on spinal cord stimulation for pain of neuropathic origin now embraces both complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and failed back pain surgery syndrome (FBSS) under the umbrella of “pain of a neuropathic origin”.