Implantable peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic pain of peripheral nerve origin is a type of neuromodulation therapy that involves the surgical implantation of electrodes that target peripheral nerves considered to be the origin of pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation has been used in the treatment of several chronic pain conditions, including pain due to peripheral nerve dysfunctions, complex regional pain syndrome, and cranial neuralgias. It has been shown to be useful for chronic, intractable pain that is refractory to conventional therapies such as physical therapy, medications, transcutaneous electrical stimulations, and nerve blocks. This procedure differs from other forms of peripheral nerve stimulation, because of the origin of the pain is from a peripheral nerve, and the electrical impulses are delivered to the nerve versus surrounding tissues or the spine.
Implantable peripheral nerve stimulation varies from other electrical stimulation therapies:
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) delivers electrical impulses to the spine versus directly to the peripheral nerve pain site.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) delivers pulses below the skin to alleviate pain.
- Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) is similar to TENS, except PENS requires electrodes to be inserted into the skin.
- Percutaneous neuromodulation therapy (PNT) is similar to PENS, but PNT is an electrical stimulation therapy using very thin needle electrodes that are inserted directly into the deep tissues in the area, causing pain.
- Peripheral subcutaneous field stimulation (PSFS) is electrical stimulation via electrodes placed subcutaneously under the skin over the area of maximal pain. Similar to TENS.
Nayak, R., & Banik, R. K. (2018). Current Innovations in Peripheral Nerve Stimulation. Pain research and treatment, 2018, 9091216. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9091216