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Review
. 2025 Apr 21;29(1):75.
doi: 10.1007/s11916-025-01388-x.

SCS for CRPS: A Review of Cost-Effectiveness Models

Daniel R Briggi  1 , James Reilly  2 , Josiel Garcia  3 , Wyatt Kupperman  3
Affiliations
Review

SCS for CRPS: A Review of Cost-Effectiveness Models

Daniel R Briggi et al. Curr Pain Headache Rep. .

Abstract

Purposeof review: The provision of a review of current literature on the cost-effectiveness of employing SCS in the treatment of CRPS.

Recent findings: Four studies were included in this review, with authorship in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Each study individually supported the cost-effectiveness of SCS in the treatment of CRPS, with the incremental cost of one quality-adjusted life year found to be AUD 2,321 - USD 22,084, all below a willingness to pay estimated at USD 50,000. One of the four studies was rated American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Grade II, three of the four studies were rated AAN Grade III, and an overall Class C evaluation was assigned to this evidence. SCS can be cost-effective in the treatment of patients with CRPS when considering a time horizon of at least ten years. Current evidence, however, remains weak and less invasive options remain first-line.

Keywords: Complex regional pain syndrome; Cost-effectiveness; Neuromodulation; Spinal cord stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with Ethical Standards. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Human and Animal Rights: All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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