Peripheral nerve stimulation, frequently referred to as PNS, is a commonly used approach to treat chronic pain. PNS works much like spinal cord stimulators, except a small electrical device (a wire-like electrode) is placed next to one of the peripheral nerves. These are the nerves that are located beyond the brain or spinal cord.

As with spinal cord stimulation, we start with a trial run to test your response to temporary electrodes that we place along the length of the offending peripheral nerve. During the trial, the electrode is connected to an external device, and if the trial is successful, a small generator gets implanted into the patient’s body. Similar to heart pacemakers, electricity is delivered from the generator to the nerve or nerves using one or several electrodes. The patient is able to control stimulation by turning the device on and off and adjusting stimulation parameters as needed.

PNS was invented in the mid-1960s, even before the commonly used spinal cord stimulation. Starting in 2012, a number of therapeutic devices that stimulate peripheral nerves or that provide peripheral nerve field stimulation received regulatory approval in a number of regions around the world for treatment of neuropathic pain and, in some geographic areas, for treatment of migraine headaches and overactive bladder. PNS can be used to treat trigeminal neuropathic pain, nerve injuries, occipital neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, peripheral neuropathy and post amputation pain.