Spinal cord stimulation reduces diabetic neuropathy pain

Researchers have reported that spinal cord stimulation can reduce pain and improve sensation in patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy. This condition occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nervous system, leading to chronic pain, numbness, and loss of sensation, particularly in the legs and lower legs.

In a study involving 91 adults with treatment-resistant diabetic neuropathy across 13 hospitals in the United States, researchers tested the implantation of thin electrical wires near the spinal cord. These devices emit electrical pulses that alter how pain signals are transmitted to the brain.

The results indicated that nearly 80 percent of those receiving spinal cord stimulation experienced at least a 50 percent reduction in lower limb pain. Among patients who received permanent implants, 93 percent achieved at least a 50 percent reduction in pain after six months. Additionally, 55 percent of implanted patients showed significant improvement in their ability to detect touch, temperature, vibration, and body position, compared to 25 percent of those receiving standard treatments.