The future of peripheral nerve neurostimulation

Electrical stimulation of selected peripheral nerves for treatment of intractable pain has been used inconsistently over the past 30 years due to difficulties in clarifying appropriate indications, utilizing approved device technology, and standardizing the surgical techniques. Circumferential electrodes treating mononeuropathies have given way to paddle electrode techniques and, most recently, the application of percutaneous wire electrode methods will allow for minimally invasive peripheral nerve stimulation for certain intractable CRPS and other painful monoeuropathies.