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About Nerve Stimulation
Peripheral nerve field stimulation is typically provided as a treatment for chronic pain. During the procedure, electrodes are placed next to the affected nerves or under the skin at the area where the pain is occurring. The electrodes are then connected to an external device, which will send electrical pulses to the area to eliminate pain. There are many chronic conditions that can be effectively treated with peripheral nerve field stimulation, depending on your unique symptoms and treatment history. At Tricity Pain Associates, we provide this innovative procedure for our Texas area patients to allow them to live more comfortably with long-term results. To learn more, contact one of our Texas pain management locations to schedule an initial consultation with one of our skilled experts.
About Extremity pain
Extremity pain involves the arms, legs, wrists, ankles, shoulders, or even the neck. Whether these are directly related to injury of the nerves or joints due to inflammation, surgery, arthritis, or muscular strain, it is important to know whether the cause of pain is irritation of the nerve roots in the spine. Appropriate evaluation might reveal the pain source, and allow specific treatment.
Bursitis
The bursae are pads filled with fluid that provide extra cushioning for joints, and bursitis is when the bursae become inflamed. Inflammation typically occurs in the bursae near joints that perform repetitive movements. Rarely, the cause is due to infection. Symptoms include pain near the involved joint and stiffness of the joint. Treatments include ice, rest, NSAIDs, physical therapy, steroid injections into the bursa, and possible surgical removal.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a small area in the wrist created by ligaments that protect the nerves that travel through the tunnel and provide sensation and movement into the hand. The median nerve goes through the tunnel to give sensation and movement to the thumb, index, and middle finger. When the nerve is pinched, it causes pain, numbness, and weakness in these fingers. The nerve is typically pinched due to inflammation from repetitive movements like typing, injuries to the wrist, hormonal changes, and certain diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypothyroidism.
Symptoms include pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand and thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Treatment includes rest, a wrist splint, taking frequent breaks if due to repetitive activity, NSAIDs, steroid injections into the carpal tunnel to decrease inflammation, or surgery.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, previously known as Causalgia or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is caused by abnormal activity in the sympathetic nervous system. This syndrome most often results from an injury or surgery to an extremity, particularly the hand or foot. As the injury or surgery heals, the pain persists, intensifies, and can spread. The skin around the affected area can change color and be cold to touch. It is typically a burning, itching kind of pain, and almost any stimulus to the affected area is painful. There can also be changes to hair and nail growth patterns. It is usually treated first with medications and physical therapy. If these treatments do not bring relief, the next step may be a series of nerve blocks. A treatment option for refractory pain includes spinal cord stimulation, i.e. placing electrical stimulators in the spinal canal to send tingling sensations into the painful extremity. If you believe you are suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, see your doctor for a full evaluation and possible referral to a pain specialist. The earlier Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is identified and treated, the better the response to treatment.
Peripheral Nerve Injury
The peripheral nerves are the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. They relay messages from the brain and spinal cord to the limbs and internal organs. These nerves are not as durable as those in the central nervous system and are easily damaged. When an injury occurs to these nerves, you may feel numbness or weakness in the area the nerve typically supplies. Treatment includes protecting the surrounding area of the nerve such as a sling or splint, physical therapy, and muscle stimulation.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can occur due to injury, infection, tumor, but most commonly, arthritis. The pain can arise from the bones that make up the shoulder, cartilage, menisci, or could be due to injury in a cervical spinal nerve. Symptoms include pain in the joint, decreased range of motion, stiffness, swelling, and redness. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but typically involves rest, NSAIDs, heat and ice, physical therapy, steroid injections, and possibly surgery.
Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates for a peripheral nerve field stimulation procedure may be suffering from chronic pain that could be caused by a variety of reasons. These may include a nerve injury, chronic migraines, complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathy. In most cases, patients may have received a noninvasive form of treatment, such as with medication or physical therapy, before they are recommended peripheral nerve field stimulation. The procedure will only be effective for patients who are experiencing pain that is related to the distribution of a single peripheral nerve.
Nerve Stimulation Technique
Peripheral nerve field stimulation is performed with a local anesthetic. It begins with the use of x-ray guidance for the placement of electrodes over the affected nerves. An electric pulse will then be sent through the electrodes by an attached device. In most cases, the patient will keep the temporary device for about a week to see if the results are noticeable. If it proves to be effective during that time period, then a permanent device can be implanted for a long-term outcome. About every two out of three patients experience pain relief with peripheral nerve field stimulation, equating to around a 40% success rate.
What To Expect
Following your procedure, a member of our pain management team will let you know what you can expect during your recovery process, and they will provide you with the appropriate instructions to care for your new device. Additional follow-up appointments will also be scheduled so that your progress can be monitored, and any necessary adjustments can be made to your overall treatment plan. It is important to note that peripheral nerve field stimulation is not a cure, but it can effectively manage your chronic pain so your expectations following the procedure should be realistic. We encourage you to contact our facility at any time during your recovery if you have any questions or concerns.
Treat Chronic Pain
As an effective treatment for chronic pain, peripheral nerve field stimulation is a minimally invasive procedure that provides optimal results for many patients. Our team of pain management specialists at Tricity Pain Associates is proud to offer this advanced procedure to improve a patient’s quality of life. Contact one of our state-of-the-art Texas locations to learn more and to schedule your initial consultation.