Editor-in-Chief: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, MD, PhD
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BACKGROUND: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a difficult-to-treat chronic pain condition. When indicated, spinal cord stimulator (SCS) therapy can serve as a solution. Rarely, intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) can be used with SCS to enhance analgesia. Given women’s predisposition towards CRPS, there may be an increasing co-existence of pregnancy and CRPS.
CASE REPORT: A pregnant woman presented with right lower extremity pain due to CRPS type II. Here, we present the first case of a woman who continued SCS and IDDS therapies throughout pregnancy. She had an uncomplicated pregnancy, labor, and delivery. The baby achieved all developmental milestones at one year.
CONCLUSION: Further research on the safety of SCS and IDDS during pregnancy is required to determine their effects on the mother and fetus. Until then, the decision to continue these therapies should be considered individually and with close collaboration among the patient, obstetrics, and pain management teams.
KEY WORDS: Pain management, pregnancy, refractory complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS, intrathecal pump therapy, spinal cord simulation
