Consenting for Spinal Cord Stimulation - the Pitfalls and Solution.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the importance of the consenting process for patients undergoing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy and understanding related complications and effects.

RECENT FINDINGS: Litigation for SCS/DRG related complications can be very costly, with the mean average settlement in cases relating to SCS being $303,173 dollars in the USA. According to the US Anaesthesia Closed Claims Project database, 10,546 claims related to pain medicine were made between 1990 and 2013; 43 of which were associated with SCS complications. This article will further explore consenting and complications within the context of SCS. Consenting for SCS is a crucial and very important step which potentially reflect on patients' expectations and outcomes.