Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants Vital to Chronic Pain
The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) today welcomed the release of Pain Australia’s report on consumer experience with spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implants.
The report brings to life, for the first time, the positive impact these cutting-edge medical devices have on the quality of life for Australians living with chronic pain.
Chronic pain affects more than 3.5 million Australians, costing the economy approximately $75 billion each year in lost productivity and health costs. The report also highlights the real challenge of ballooning costs – more than $200 billion by 2050 – if the number of Australians living with chronic pain continues to rise to more than 5 million.
MTAA CEO, Ian Burgess, said today’s report shows SCS therapy provides significant clinical, social, and economic value, particularly for patients who have exhausted all other treatment options for relieving chronic pain.
“Over decades these devices have demonstrated the ability to produce clinically meaningful pain relief, improve the quality of life, and significantly reduce the need for medications,” Mr Burgess said.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Pain Australia to ensure timely patient access to this vital technology for Australians who need it.”
