An investigation of the therapeutic effect of electrical impulses with short pulse width on pain relief and quality of the spinal cord stimulation in patients with intractable back and/or leg pain.

Prospective, observational study. Subjects who have inadequate pain relief from their currently implanted conventional spinal cord stimulator (Boston Scientific Corp.) will be evaluated for eligibility in this study. The study aims at investigating alternative programming combinations for these spinal cord devices. The programming algorithms are within the currently approved limits for the device. We hope to reduce the stimulation (paraesthesia) to a level in which it is no longer felt by the patient (subthreshold stimulation) but still provides improved pain relief and prolonged optimal therapy for patients with chronic back and leg pain. The potential outcomes of this project have vast applications in chronic pain patients, where patients will often tolerate side effects such as uncomfortable stimulation sensations, so that their pain may be controlled.