Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation Using Monophasic Burst Waveform for Axial Neck and Upper Extremity Radicular Pain: A Preliminary Observational Study

BACKGROUND Cervical spinal cord stimulation (cSCS) is an accepted therapeutic option for radicular upper extremity pain and less commonly for cervical axial pain despite less available literature in comparison with lumbar and lower extremity applications. METHODS This preliminary observational pilot study evaluated the efficacy of cSCS using the monophasic burst pattern in the treatment of both upper extremity radicular pain and axial neck pain. Primary outcome measures were reduction in pain scores, global pain scale (GPS) indices, and neck Oswestry disability index (nODI). RESULTS Of the 23 subjects trialed, 15 went to implantation of cSCS using burst and were followed for 1 year prospectively. Pre- and postprimary outcome measures suggested a statistically (p