A case report of wireless peripheral nerve stimulation for complex regional pain syndrome type-I of the upper extremity: 1 year follow up

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 829-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Herschkowitz ◽  
Jana Kubias

Abstract Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic disabling painful disorder with limited options to achieve therapeutic relief. CRPS type I which follows trauma, may not show obvious damage to the nervous structures and remains dubious in its pathophysiology and also its response to conservative treatment or interventional pain management is elusive. Spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion stimulation (SCS, DRGS) provide good relief, mainly for causalgia or CRPS I of lower extremities but not very encouraging for upper extremity CRPS I. we reported earlier, a case of CRPS I of right arm treated successfully by wireless peripheral nerve stimulation (WPNS) with short term follow up. Here we present 1-year follow-up of this patient. Objective To present the first case of WPNS for CRPS I with a year follow up. The patient had minimally invasive peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), without implantable pulse generator (IPG) or its accessories. Case report This was a case of refractory CRPS I after blunt trauma to the right forearm of a young female. She underwent placement of two Stimwave electrodes (Leads: FR4A-RCV-A0 with tines, Generation 1 and FR4A-RCV-B0 with tines, Generation 1) in her forearm under intraoperative electrophysiological and ultrasound guidance along radial and median nerves. This WPNS required no IPG. At high frequency (HF) stimulation (HF 10 kHz/32 μs, 2.0 mA), patient had shown remarkable relief in pain, allodynia and temperature impairment. At 5 months she started driving without opioid consumption, while allodynia disappeared. At 1 year follow up she was relieved of pain [visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 4 from 7] and Kapanji Index (Score) improved to 7–8. Both hands look similar in color and temperature. She never made unscheduled visits to the clinic or visited emergency room for any complications related to the WPNS. Conclusions CRPS I involving upper extremity remain difficult to manage with conventional SCS or DRGS because of equipment related adverse events. Minimally invasive WPNS in this case had shown consistent relief without any complications or side effects related to the wireless technology or the technique at the end of 1 year. Implications This is the first case illustration of WPNS for CRPS I, successfully treated and followed up for 1 year.

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Herschkowitz ◽  
Jana Kubias

AbstractBackgroundComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating painful disorder, cryptic in its pathophysiology and refractory condition with limited therapeutic options. Type I CRPS with its variable relationship to trauma has often no discernible fractures or nerve injuries and remains enigmatic in its response to conservative treatment as well as the other limited interventional therapies. Neuromodulation in the form of spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion stimulation (SCS, DRGS) has shown encouraging results, especially of causalgia or CRPS I of lower extremities. Upper extremity CRPS I is far more difficult.ObjectiveTo report a case of upper extremity CRPS I treated by wireless peripheral nerve stimulation (WPNS) for its unique features and minimally invasive technique. The system does not involve implantation of battery or its connections.Case reportA 47 year old female patient presented with refractory CRPS I following a blunt trauma to her right forearm. As interventional treatment in the form of local anesthetics (Anesthesia of peripheral branches of radial nerve) and combined infusions of ketamine/lidocaine failed to provide any significant relief she opted for WPNS treatment. Based on the topographic distribution, two electrodes (Stimwave Leads: FR4A-RCV-A0 with tines, Generation 1 and FR4A-RCV-B0 with tines, Generation 1), were placed along the course of radial and median nerves under ultrasonography monitoring and guided by intraoperative stimulation. This procedure did not involve implantation of extension cables or the power source. At a frequency of 60 Hz and 300 μs the stimulation induced paresthesia along the distribution of the nerves. Therapeutic relief was observed with high frequency (HF) stimulation (HF 10 kHz/32 μs, 2.0 mA) reducing her pain from a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 7–4 postoperatively. Three HF stimulations programs were provided at the time of discharge, as she improved in her sensory impairment to touch, pressure and temperature at her first follow up visit. At 5-months she was able to drive, did not require opioids and allodynia disappeared.ConclusionsIn a case with difficult CRPS I involving upper extremity, a minimally invasive WPNS of radial and median nerves provided good symptomatic relief. The procedure was tolerated well and both electrodes remained in place without any adverse events.ImplicationsIn view of the very limited options currently available to manage CRPS, WPNS can be a promising therapeutic modality.


2021 ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
Niek Vanquathem

Background: Shoulder pain is a common condition, often refractory to treatment. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) can be efficacious in providing relief of shoulder pain while improving pain-related quality of life (QOL). The objective of this case report is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a minimally invasive wireless PNS in the treatment of chronic shoulder pain. Case Report: This 94-year old man presented with severe shoulder pain. He suffered from poliomyelitis as a child affecting his left leg, forcing him to use crutches to be ambulatory. He developed progressive right shoulder pain and was subsequently diagnosed with right glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The patient was treated semiannually for 4 years with corticosteroids injections and pain medication with minimal relief (7 out of 10 on the Visual Analog Scale [VAS]). A suprascapular block with lidocaine 2% resulted in significant pain reduction (1 out of 10 on the VAS). As a result, the patient opted for wireless PNS of the SSN via a minimally invasive procedure. Two weeks post implant, the patient reported no postoperative pain, and his chronic pain was rated 0 out of 10 even during movement. Reports of reduced pain were sustained throughout the 6 months of observation with subsequent improvements in QOL and functionality. Conclusion: Wireless neurostimulation of the SSN can be a very effective therapy option for the treatment of refractory, chronic shoulder pain as a result of glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Key words: Endoscopic spine surgery, lumbar radiculopathy, minimally invasive spine, SI joint fusion


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Mehech ◽  
Melvin Mejia ◽  
Gregory A. Nemunaitis ◽  
John Chae ◽  
Richard D. Wilson

2021 ◽  
pp. 201-204

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritic knee (OAk) pain is common, yet the standard of care often yields unsatisfactory pain relief. There remains a role for novel treatment options. Percutaneous motor peripheral nerve stimulation (mPNS) of the knee is a novel minimally invasive procedure that stimulates motor end points leading to muscle contraction associated with the painful joint. Pain relief is hypothesized to be achieved through central pain modulation. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a patient who experienced refractory osteoarthritic knee pain after 9 months of conservative care. Following 7 weeks of mPNS treatment, the patient achieved improvement in OAk pain relief and activities of daily living as measured by notable improvements in the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score at 8- and 12-weeks postimplant. The Patient Global Impression of Change at the end of stimulation was much improved. CONCLUSION: Motor PNS may offer a safe and effective treatment alternative for chronic refractory pain related to OAk. KEY WORDS: Osteoarthritis, knee, pain, peripheral nerve stimulation


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M Rosenow ◽  
Christopher Gilmore ◽  
Brian M Ilfeld ◽  
Sean Li ◽  
Mehul J Desai ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Over 85% of patients experience residual limb (RLP) and/or phantom limb (PLP) pain following amputation. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a non-opioid approach to relieve postamputation neuropathic pain. A recent multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using a novel percutaneous PNS system demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and pain interference with PNS compared to placebo (Gilmore et al, 2019). This work presents prospective 1-yr follow-up to assess durability of pain relief and functional improvements. METHODS Over 85% of patients experience residual limb (RLP) and/or phantom limb (PLP) pain following amputation. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a non-opioid approach to relieve post-amputation neuropathic pain. A recent multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using a novel percutaneous PNS system demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain and pain interference with PNS compared to placebo (Gilmore et al, 2019). This work presents prospective one-year follow-up to assess durability of pain relief and functional improvements. RESULTS A significantly greater proportion of subjects who completed the 12-mo visit reported = 50% pain relief on the BPI-SF (5/8, 63%; average pain relief = 73% among responders) compared to the placebo group at the time of crossover (0/14, 0%, P = .003; average pain relief = 23%). A majority of subjects also reported = 50% reductions in pain interference at 12 mo (5/8, 63%). Two of 13 (15%) subjects in the placebo group reported sustained improvements in pain interference (P = .06). Average reduction in pain interference among responders in the PNS group was 87%. CONCLUSION This work suggests that PNS delivered over 60 d may provide clinically significant and enduring pain relief, enabling improved function and potentially reducing the need for a permanently implanted system.


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