What is peripheral nerve stimulation?
Peripheral nerve stimulation is an outpatient procedure for chronic pain. It involves your doctor implanting a small electrical device called an electrode near the damaged peripheral nerves surrounding your brain and spinal cord. The device works by disrupting pain signals sent from the nerves to the brain. It’s small enough to be placed directly under the skin and can provide quick relief from chronic pain symptoms.
In addition to spinal pain, peripheral nerve stimulation can help relieve pain symptoms from diabetic neuropathy, amputation, trauma, complex regional pain disorder, trigeminal neuralgia, hernia surgery, occipital neuralgia, and headache disorders.
Chronic pain can severely impact your comfort, your quality of life, and even your safety. When treatments like medication or physical therapy don’t work, peripheral nerve stimulation may help to provide the pain relief you need.
Penn Medicine is a leader in chronic pain care, offering advanced treatment and diagnostic techniques, such as peripheral nerve stimulation. Our care team can guide you toward treatments that help you get back to living your life pain-free.
Who is a candidate for peripheral nerve stimulation?
Your doctor may suggest peripheral nerve stimulation if non-surgical treatments like medication, physical therapy, injections, or nerve blockers haven’t worked. This procedure can also be ideal if you struggle with persistent localized nerve pain that can be traced back to a specific origin, like surgery, injury, or a pre-existing nerve condition.
When you're battling chronic pain, you need accurate and informed answers about your treatment options. Your Penn Medicine care team will work with you every step of the way to help determine if peripheral nerve stimulation is the right option for you.
What to expect during your peripheral nerve stimulation procedure
Peripheral nerve stimulation occurs in two phases. Your doctor will first use x-ray imaging to place a temporary electrode near the damaged nerve. They will then test the device so you can verify that it’s stimulating the correct area. You’ll need to be awake but will be given a local anesthetic, so you’re comfortable.
You’ll be asked to live with this electrode for about a week to see if it helps relieve your pain. You’ll be able to control stimulation by turning the device on and off and adjusting levels as needed. Your pain will be replaced with a slight tingling sensation when the device is activated. If successful, your doctor will implant a permanent device.
Recovery from peripheral nerve stimulation
While peripheral nerve stimulation is an outpatient procedure, you’ll need to have someone drive you home since you will be placed under anesthesia. Your doctor will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your incision, what you should know about your device, and when you can resume your regular daily activities.
Peripheral nerve stimulation may help relieve symptoms, but it’s not a cure for chronic pain. Your care team will continue to work with you to address and manage the root causes.
If you do not find relief using this treatment, you shouldn’t be discouraged. Your care team at Penn Medicine will keep helping you explore the best options for treatment and management of your chronic pain.
Risks of peripheral nerve stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation is a safe outpatient procedure. As with any surgery, there may be some risks, including:
- Bleeding and infection of the incision
- Post-surgical pain
- Dizziness
- Damage to the device
- Problems with signal strength
Talk to your doctor if you experience problems with your device such as signal strength or inability to control stimulation.
A leader in nerve care
As the only comprehensive nerve center in the greater Philadelphia and New Jersey area, Penn Medicine offers expert diagnosis and the latest treatment for a wide range of brain, spine, and peripheral nerve conditions, from the most common to the most complex.
Our specialists understand the challenges that often accompany an undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or underdiagnosed nerve condition. That's why we're committed to accurately diagnosing your nerve condition and providing you with the treatment you need. Our goal is to alleviate your symptoms and ultimately improve your quality of life.