Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment option for patients living with severe, intractable chronic pain of peripheral nerve origin. At Advanced Spine and Pain, we offer PNS through the Freedom® PNS System by Curonix — a cutting-edge solution for patients who have not found adequate relief through other treatments.

To find out if Peripheral Nerve Stimulation may be right for you, call us at (480) 573-0130 or click here to schedule an appointment.

What Is Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is a therapy that delivers gentle electrical impulses directly to targeted peripheral nerves to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. Unlike spinal cord stimulation, which targets the spinal cord, PNS acts on the specific nerve or nerves responsible for a patient's pain, offering a highly targeted approach to chronic pain management.

At Advanced Spine and Pain, we use the Freedom® Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS) System, which is FDA-indicated for pain management in adults with severe, intractable chronic pain of peripheral nerve origin. It can be used as a standalone treatment or as part of a broader, multidisciplinary pain management approach.

PNS may be an appropriate option for patients experiencing chronic pain related to:

• Post-surgical chronic pain
• Mononeuropathies
• Failed spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
• High MRI burden
• Blood thinner dependency
• Complex comorbidities
• Conditions with a history of successful nerve blocks or radiofrequency ablations (RFAs)

How Does the Freedom® PNS System Work?

The Freedom® PNS System uses High Frequency-Electromagnetic Coupling (HF-EMC) technology to power a small implanted neurostimulator. The system consists of an implanted electrode array with four or eight contacts connected to a separate implanted receiver, and a small external rechargeable transmitter that powers the device through the skin.

The device delivers pulsed electric current to create an electrical field that acts on the targeted peripheral nerve, inhibiting the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Because the external transmitter powers the device through clothing, patients benefit from a comfortable and discreet experience during daily activity.

The Freedom® system features NervPulse™ Therapy, which offers therapy programs for 26 various peripheral nerves and is supported by evidence-based data from more than 20,000 procedures and 13 published clinical studies involving 450 or more patients.

What Can You Expect From the PNS Procedure?

As with spinal cord stimulation, every patient begins with a trial period to evaluate whether PNS is the right solution before committing to a permanent implant.

During the trial, the electrode array is placed near the targeted peripheral nerve. An external transmitter delivers therapy over a defined evaluation period, allowing the patient and physician to assess the level of pain relief achieved.

If the trial is successful, the patient moves forward with a permanent implant. The permanent procedure is minimally invasive and is typically performed on an outpatient basis. Patients generally return home the same day and will receive specific activity guidelines from their physician during the recovery period.

Throughout the process, your Advanced Spine and Pain provider will work closely with you to develop a personalized therapy plan tailored to your specific pain condition and lifestyle needs.

Video provided by Curonix

How Will Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Benefit Me?

Clinical evidence supporting the Freedom® PNS System demonstrates meaningful, lasting outcomes for patients with chronic peripheral nerve pain:

• Patients reported more than a 70% improvement in pain at all follow-up intervals
• Patients reduced medication usage by 47% at 24 months following implant
• Foot and ankle patients experienced a 65% reduction in pain scores at 12 months post-implant
• Foot and ankle patients experienced measurable improvement in quality of life at 12 months following implantation

PNS offers an important advantage for patients who are not candidates for other stimulation therapies, including those on blood thinners, those with high MRI burden, or those who have not responded to spinal cord stimulation. Because the Freedom® system is MRI-conditional under certain guidelines, many patients retain the ability to undergo MRI imaging when clinically necessary.

What Is It Like Living With a Peripheral Nerve Stimulator?

Most patients find that living with the Freedom® PNS System integrates naturally into their daily routine. The external transmitter is designed to be worn comfortably over a thin layer of clothing, making it discreet and practical for everyday activity. The wearable components are purposefully designed to work with any extremity or trunk nerve approach, giving patients flexibility regardless of where their pain is located.

Every patient's therapy plan is individualized. Some patients wear the device continuously, while others find that wearing it for set periods of time provides effective relief. Your Advanced Spine and Pain provider will work with you to establish the approach that best fits your lifestyle and treatment goals.

The implanted components are designed for long-term use, and the external transmitter is rechargeable for convenience. Your care team will provide full guidance on device management and will be available to support you throughout your treatment.

Are There Risks or Side Effects to Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

As with any procedure involving an implanted device, there are potential risks to be aware of. These include a risk of infection at the implant site, which in rare cases may require additional intervention or removal of the device. There is also a possibility that the leads may shift from their original position over time, though device design improvements have significantly reduced this risk.

As with any implanted medical device, there is a possibility of mechanical failure or reduced effectiveness over time. Your physician will discuss all potential risks with you during your consultation and help you weigh them against the anticipated benefits based on your specific condition.

What Is the Success Rate of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

The Freedom® PNS System is backed by evidence-based data from more than 20,000 procedures and 13 peer-reviewed publications. Clinical results consistently show significant reductions in pain, decreased reliance on pain medications, and meaningful improvements in quality of life across a variety of peripheral nerve pain conditions.

Success rates vary depending on the specific condition being treated and individual patient factors. The trial period is an important step in confirming that PNS is the right fit before proceeding to a permanent implant, helping to set patients up for the best possible long-term outcome.

If you are living with chronic pain that has not responded to other treatments, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation may offer a new path forward. Reach out to the team at Advanced Spine and Pain to schedule an evaluation and find out whether PNS is the right option for you.