Effect of Spinal Cord Stimulation on Gait and Balance in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18 years and older 2. Considered to be a candidate for SCS 1. Leg pain and/or LBP lasting than 6 months. 2. Therapy consists of a short trial with a percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrode(s) in the epidural space for assessing a candidate's suitability for ongoing treatment with a permanent surgically implanted SCS. Performance and documentation of an effective trial is required for consideration of permanent SCS. 3. The implantation of the stimulator is used only as a late or last resort for patients with chronic intractable pain. 4. Other treatment modalities (pharmacologic, surgical, physical/and psychological therapies) have been tried and did not prove satisfactory; were judged unsuitable, or were contraindicated for the patient. 5. Patient has undergone appropriate psychological screening, including psychometric testing using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), and diagnosis by a multidisciplinary team before implantation; to include patient education, discussion and disclosure including an extensive discussion of the risk and benefits of therapy. 6. All the facilities, equipment, and professional support personnel required for the proper diagnosis, treatment, training, and follow-up of the patient are available. 7. All trials which proceed to permanent implantation should demonstrate adequate documentation to support the decision. A successful trial should be associated with at least 50% reduction of target pain, a reduction of analgesic medications and show some element of functional improvement (i.e. sitting, standing and walking tolerances). 3. Able to ambulate without assistance and stand without assistance with eyes open for a minimum of 10 seconds 4. Able and willing to attend and perform the activities described in the informed consent within the boundaries of the timelines set forth for pre-, and post-operative follow-up Exclusion Criteria: 1. Major lower extremity surgery or previous injury that may affect gait (a successful total joint replacement is not an exclusion) 2. BMI higher than 35 3. Neurological disorder, diabetic neuropathy or other disease that impairs the patient's ability to ambulate or stand without assistance 4. Major trauma to the pelvis 5. Pregnant or wishing to become pregnant during the study 6. Previous spinal surgery that would preclude the safe percutaneous or permanent implantation of the SCS leads 7. Previous history of spinal i…