Boston Scientific study shows failings in chronic pain management

Boston Scientific has highlighted data from a new survey that demonstrates the need for more effective therapies for chronic pain to be made widely available.

The company sponsored a survey of more than 1,000 patients which showed that more than one-third of sufferers still struggle with routine daily tasks, which affects their work and personal lives, their relationships and their ability to care for their children.

It was also revealed that despite one-fifth of patients being potentially eligible for innovative treatment options such as rechargeable Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), two-thirds have never heard of this method.

As such, the report calls for European governments to devise new national plans for chronic pain management that go beyond traditional therapy approaches.

Dr Simon Thomson, consultant in pain medicine and neuromodulation at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "For many patients, conventional medication or surgery is not the answer and we need to be exploring how best to use innovative and cost-effective technologies as they emerge."

Boston Scientific is the manufacturer of the PrecisionPlus SCS system, which uses SmoothWave technology to more accurately target areas of pain.