Successful treatment of chronic neuropathic pain with subcutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation: four case reports

Introduction. Chronic pain is a prevalent medical condition in the general population and is one of the most common reasons patients visit their primary care doctors. When the pain is resistant to the common treatment modalities, it presents a challenge for the physician and may have profound consequences for the quality of life of the patient. Methods. We present four case reports in which subcutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation was successfully used to treat chronic neuropathic pain after all other treatment efforts had failed. Results. In all cases, the patients underwent a trial of peripheral nerve stimulation with good results. The patients reported decreased use of pain medications, increased quality of life, and high satisfaction with the procedure results. Conclusion. The use of subcutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation as a viable treatment alternative in certain cases of chronic neuropathic pain should continue to be rigorously evaluated.