Procedure, Benefits, and Risks of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Common peripheral nervous system chronic pain therapies are peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). One of the two human nervous system parts is the peripheral nervous system. Apart from the CNS, the peripheral nervous system encompasses nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nerve stimulator transmits messages from the brain and spinal cord to the limbs and organs. Unlike the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system is unprotected by the vertebral column or cranium; hence, it is prone to mechanical damage. We provide FDA-approved PNS peripheral nerve stimulation to manage chronic pain.

What is PNS?

Chronic pain patients can receive minimally invasive peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). Patients who have failed drug and pain management can find great pain alleviation from the same-day treatment, which is safe. Peripheral nerves, which serve organs and limbs, arise from the brain and spinal cord. Guided by ultrasound, PNS inserts a gadget to target painful peripheral nerves. A thin wire implanted near the nerve offers electrical stimulation. By disrupting pain signals from the source, these electrical pulses change your brain's interpretation of pain. Visit our top pain management clinics in Texas for personalized care.

What can PNS Treat?

PNS treatment in Dallas treats pain in almost all body parts, including:

• Chronic upper and lower extremity neuropathic pain

• Chronic shoulder and knee pain

• Surgery-related groin or nerve pain

• Nerve compression after stroke

• Chronic backache

• Intractable occipital nerve irritation headache

What Happens Before the Procedure?

Arrive 30 minutes early for your PNS procedure. You'll register at the interventional pain management center and complete any other paperwork.

The interventional pain management team will meet with you after registration. A nurse will examine you, discuss your medical history, and ask about your medications. Our PNS specialists in Dallas will then meet with you to explain the procedure and evaluate you. You must fast for 6 hours before your appointment. Clear liquids are allowed during this time, but not two hours before your procedure.

Diabetics will discuss insulin dose adjustments with their doctors. Do not take painkillers 4 hours before the procedure. Your doctor will discuss other medications, so bring them to take after the procedure. You may receive a mild sedative via an IV line in your arm to relax. You must inform your doctor before the procedure if any of the following apply:

• You may be pregnant or breastfeeding.

• You are infected.

• Before stopping any prescribed blood thinner medicine, see your doctor. Furthermore, on the day of your operation, a responsible adult must come along and transport you back home.

What Happens During the Procedure?

First, the medical staff will clean the procedure area with antiseptic. A local anesthetic numbs the area. Then, an electrode less than a hair wide is implanted. An ultrasound or X-ray guides the stimulator near the painful peripheral nerve. A small implanted or external pulse generator is connected. To evaluate pain relief, the team will test the PNS during the procedure. You will be taken to a recovery room after the 30-to-60-minute procedure.

What Happens After the Procedure? 

Following the procedure, we check the stimulation location and the bandage dressing on top of the wire. It takes about five minutes. A PNS device will be given to you when you can go home. A small pager- or cell phone-sized device, it generates electrical stimulation via wires. Control electrical stimulation and turn off the device. Our external wires are not waterproof, so we will give you a sleeve to store them. Showering with the sleeve is safe, but do not lie down or sit in a pool while implanted. You'll see your care team one month and two months after the procedure to remove the wires. 

Contact your doctor if you have any questions during visits. Your care team can remove the PNS device and try other painkillers if the treatment is unpleasant or ineffective. If necessary, discuss permanent pain management at your second doctor's appointment.

Benefits of PNS

PNS has many benefits for chronic pain management that can improve quality of life. PNS is also effective and usually works immediately. You should not have too high of hopes because this surgery only eases chronic pain. Patients can make smart choices about how to deal with their pain if they know what the possible benefits of this treatment are. Following are the benefits of PNS:

Significant Relief

Two out of three patients will experience significant symptom relief during the trial. A permanent implant is often the next step after a positive outcome. About 4/10 patients reported successful pain management with PNS. These numbers suggest PNS may reduce chronic pain.

Non-Invasive Treatment 

PNS is a non-invasive nerve pain treatment in Mesquite. This technique places the stimulating device directly over the nerve at the targeted pain area, unlike invasive spinal cord manipulation surgeries. Thus, extensive surgery and risks are reduced.

Higher Function and Life Quality

Peripheral nerve stimulation can greatly lower the severity and frequency of pain by stopping pain signals from getting to the brain. Getting rid of pain helps people regain control and makes their health, mobility, and ability to do things better. Things that used to be hard or impossible to do every day become easier, which makes people's lives more satisfying.

Personalized Treatments 

PNS can be customized for each patient. Customizing electrical impulse frequency, intensity, and duration allows for customized chronic pain management strategies based on conditions and pain thresholds. This adaptability helps patients optimize treatment and achieve the best results.

Complications of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation 

Most peripheral nerve stimulation patients have no side effects. Our team sterilizes and takes precautions to reduce infection risk. Damage to nearby nerves or structures is also possible. We use X-ray guidance to avoid damage during the procedure. Your doctor will check for bleeding-risky medications before the procedure. Acute and chronic pain relief with PNS is safe and low-risk. Discuss the procedure with your doctor to see if it's right for you. Find the best neuropathy pain relief in Plano with advanced treatments at Premier Pain Centers.

Conclusion