What is peripheral nerve stimulation?

• Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a minimally invasive treatment technique that uses electricity to treat pain for patients who suffer from peripheral nerve pain and other chronic painful conditions such as:
  • chronic pain after knee, foot or shoulder surgery
  • chronic arthritis pain (knee, shoulder) in patients who cannot or do not wish to have surgery
  • chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
  • occipital neuralgia
  • diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• This technology is ideal for patients who have not experienced pain relief from conservative or other interventional therapies or who prefer not to take medications for nerve pain.

What is the process?

• First, you will undergo a peripheral nerve block to see if your pain can be temporarily relieved by targeting a specific nerve.
• If you have pain relief from a nerve block, you will then under go a trial to see if this therapy works well for you.
• The PNS procedure requires inserting a small electrical wire along the damaged nerve under the guidance of an ultrasound. The wire delivers tiny electrical pulses which feel like a mild tingling sensation (a paresthesia), which in turn helps reduce or cover pain symptoms.
• Unlike other spinal cord stimulation devices, the battery for a PNS is a small sticker worn on the skin, making this a very minimally invasive procedure.

What is a trial?

• Before having a device implanted, it’s important to see if works for you pain.
• A trial involves inserting a tiny temporary wire near the nerve causing your pain and then seeing if you pain relief or improved function.
• We offer two types of trials: a soft temporary nerve stimulating catheter or SPRINT, a 60-day system.
• For an overview of the SPRINT PNS system, please watch the following short video

What devices are used for the implant?

• Our clinic currently offers implants using the Stimrouter device. This device is composed of a small, flexible lead which is placed near the painful nerve and buried completely under your skin.
• This device is operated using a battery on a sticker placed on your skin. You do not need to wear this battery at all times – often patients will have prolonged relief after a few hours of therapy.