Authors' recommendations: Mechanical low back pain (LBP) is common, affecting most individuals at some time. LBP is a leading reason for physician visits and work-related disability in the United States, with a lifetime prevalence of 60% to 80%. For an estimated 5% to 10% of patients, LBP becomes chronic (> 3 months in duration) with loss in work productivity and marked impact on healthcare utilization and costs. Description of Technology: Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) is a conservative, minimally invasive treatment for pain in which acupuncture-like needles connected through a cable to an external power source are inserted into the skin. Needle placement is near the area of pain and are percutaneous instead of cutaneous, as in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). PENS electrodes are not permanently implanted as in spinal cord stimulation. The mechanism of action of PENS is theorized to modulate the hypersensitivity of nerves from which the persistent pain arises, potentially involving endogenous opioid-like substances. Patient Population: PENS is indicated for the symptomatic relief and management of chronic intractable LBP, as well as postsurgical or post-trauma pain. Clinical Alternatives: Conservative treatment of LBP includes oral analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids), intrathecal drug delivery, exercise therapy, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, yoga, massage therapy, spinal manipulation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, TENS, and epidural steroid injections. If conservative therapies are not effective, surgical treatments such as reoperation, laminectomy, laminotomy, or spinal fusion may be indicated.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2017

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=59446

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: Winifred S. Hayes, Inc