Objectives: The aim of this investigation is to assess the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in different groups of patients with spasticity of different origin. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of the use of the method of SCS in 71 patients. The patient population was divided into two groups: 52 cerebral palsy (CP) cases and 19 patients diagnosed with spasticity caused by spinal injury. The mean age was 7.14 ± 4.06 and 35.68 ± 12.42 years, respectively. The CP group included 41 cases of paraparesis and 11 cases tetraparesis. One quadripolar electrode was implanted into the posterior epidural space at Th10-Th12 level and an implantable pulse generator (Itrel3, Medtronic) was placed in a standard fashion. We performed 3-5 stimulation sessions per day; each lasted 30 min. The stimulation parameters were as follows: rate 100-130 Hz, pulse width 120-300 ms, amplitude 1.5-4 V. The follow-up ranged from 2 to 9 years. Results: Decrease in muscle tone was observed in all cases in the group of patients with spinal spasticity: from 3.71 ± 0.61 on the Ashworth scale before the operation to 2.26 ± 0.56 after the operation (p < 0.001). In the group of cerebral spasticity a significant decrease in muscle tone was observed only in patients with spastic lower paraparesis: from 3.36 ± 0.41 before the operation to 1.97 ± 0.91 after the operation (p < 0.005). In patients with spastic tetraparesis we did not observe any significant change in muscle tone. In 8 cases we discontinued the therapy several years after the procedure due to improvement in spasticity: in the CP group in 7 cases and in 1 spinal spasticity case, where SCS systems were explanted. Conclusion: Chronic SCS may be a method of choice for patients with moderate spinal and cerebral spasticity with predominant spastic lower paraparesis. In patients with spastic tetraparesis SCS therapy did not prove to be effective. We encountered improvement of the spasticity and no need for further SCS therapy in a small group of patients (11%). This phenomenon requires further investigation.

A reduction in spasticity due to SDR depends on the amount of cut roots. The functional result of SDR is affected not only by a decrease in spasticity but also by the functional status and age of the patient at the time of surgery. In all cases, laminoplasty should be performed to prevent spinal cord deformities.

To evaluate the results of chronic electrical stimulation of the spinal cord (SCS) in patients with pain syndromes following various operations in the spine. Material and Methods. Implantation of chronic SCS systems was performed in 100 patients during 2001-2012. Average pain syndrome duration before application of neurostimulation was 5.5 years. In 12 patients, SCS was combined with peripheral nerve stimulation due to individual pain features. The indications for surgery were persistent pain of neurogenic nature in the back and limbs, and positive results of test stimulation. Pain severity, its influence on the quality of life, and needs for analgesics were assessed using the modified ten-point VAS. The Multivariate Verbal-Color Pain Test was used to assess a proportion of neuropathic, somatogenic and psychogenic components of pain syndrome. Results were assessed in the early postoperative period, at 6 and 12 months, and then once a year. Results. In the early postoperative period 45 patients reported excellent, 37-good, and 18-satisfactory results. In the follow-up period results remained excellent in 28, good in 37, and satisfactory in 15 patients. Conclusions. Epidural spinal cord stimulation is a highly effective method, which allows managing pain syndrome in the long-term follow-up. Chronic stimulation effects are completely reversible and safe.

Patients with severe muscular spasticity still represent the most complex and resistant to therapy group of neuro-rehabilitation patients. In a few years, in Russia, intrathecal baclofen therapy has appeared to be the most effective method for such spasticity. For the first time the authors developed and implemented in clinical practice "Prospective register to treat spastic states using intrathecal baclofen therapy in Russian Federation" aimed at therapy classification of spastic patients: to reveal management characteristics, assess treatment outcomes and frequency of occurrence of adverse events that will finally help specify the need for the method employment in real clinical practice. The article presents the findings of a one-year usage of Register, which enabled to make a preliminary evaluation of intrathecal baclofen therapy in Russia.