Need resource on future care of SCS pt

[deleted185747]

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Hello all, I need some resources regarding what a patient with a spinal cord stimulator will need for the rest of his life (future costs as part of a settlement) the applicant’s attorney got a letter from the treating physician (lien holder) stating he will need a new IPG every 5 years, a new Penta lead/revision every 10 years, mri or CT of lead and IPG every 5 years, a bunch of PT every year for the rest of his life. I need some articles.

I think the hardest part will be determining how many years stim works on average before it’s abandoned. I don’t see anyone revising a paddle; any evidence for or against paddle revision every 10 years? If the paddle is over the sweet spot and the therapeutic effect diminishes then you reprogram and decrease output. I’ve never heard of taking it out and basically putting it back!

 

[lobelsteve]

IPG every 10yrs, revision to lead x once only. Xray but no CT or MRI needed. Every 2-3 years.

The doc is FOS to pad the bill for the lawyer. Would offer to send his statement to medical board for ethics review.

 

[SommeRiver]

IPG every 10yrs, revision to lead x once only. Xray but no CT or MRI needed. Every 2-3 years.

The doc is FOS to pad the bill for the lawyer. Would offer to send his statement to medical board for ethics review.

10 yrs for an IPG swap?

 

[lobelsteve]

10 yrs for an IPG swap?

Based on FDA statement on how long battery is approved for or should last.

 

[BobBarker]

8 for a rechargeable and 1 for a non rechargeable if it is a Proclaim 5 and the patient is running it in tonic. Lol.

 

[Pain_doc]

I was looking for such data as well. I queried a couple of the stim companies, asking: "40year old male implanted with percutaneous system, rechargeable ipg. What procedures would be expected over the course of his lifetime with regard to the SCS system?" Silence was all I received. You know they have such data, not sure why they won't share it. I agree with the estimate of 8-10years for the battery life. Of course, Abbott now pushing the non-rechargeables as mentioned above...

I'll occasionally obtain X-rays, but it seems that anytime I'm getting a CT or MRI, it's not related to the SCS, but rather new pains/exam findings, etc.

 

[gdub25]

I don’t look at this doctors recommendations as trying to pad things for the attorney as much as the patient. I don’t know all that much about personal injury work but I have done some and from my understanding it’s better to overestimate, within reason anyways, so if the patient does end up having a worst-case scenario experience they don’t end up hanging out to dry without enough coverage.

 

[cbest]

Do y’all do any sort of life care planning certification for this type of work or just kinda figure it out as you go?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[deleted185747]

Do y’all do any sort of life care planning certification for this type of work or just kinda figure it out as you go?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

So far I do not do life care planning because I’m already busy enough. I would suspect that if the applicant attorney hired a life care planner the. The defense you’ll also hire a life care planner and then dual in court