Spinal Cord Stimulation With Integrated Pain Psychology for Pediatric Refractory Neuropathic Pain: A Case Report

We present a 14-year-old girl with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed chronic pain from several overlapping conditions, including chemotherapy-related neuropathy, sacroiliitis, lumbar degenerative changes, and post-surgical complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Her pain was largely nonmalignant and remained difficult to control despite prior treatment measures. She underwent spinal cord stimulation (SCS) implantation with concurrent pain psychology support. After implantation, her reported pain scores improved from 10/10 to 5/10, opioid use remained minimal, and she demonstrated greater day-to-day functional participation. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family-centered behavioral strategies were incorporated throughout treatment to strengthen coping skills and support rehabilitation goals. This case illustrates the potential benefit of combining neuromodulation with structured psychological support in the treatment of complex pediatric chronic pain.