Long-Term Reduction of Sacroiliac Joint Pain With Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Neuromodulation
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a significant cause of chronic lower back pain.
• Therapy-refractory SIJ pain often requires innovative treatment approaches.
• Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has emerged as a potential therapeutic option.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term efficacy and patient satisfaction of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain.
• To assess the durability of treatment response up to four years post-intervention.
• To determine the sustained pain reduction and quality of life improvements in patients with chronic SIJ pain.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 16 patients with therapy-refractory SIJ pain received PNS treatment.
• Patients were followed for up to 4 years, with varying follow-up durations (2, 3, and 4 years).
• Pain levels (Visual Analog Scale), disability (Oswestry Disability Index 2.0), and patient satisfaction (International Patient Satisfaction Index) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Significant pain reduction was observed, with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores decreasing from 8.8 to 1.6 at 1 year (P < .001).
• High patient satisfaction rates were maintained: 92.9% at 1 year, 90.0% at 2 years, 88.9% at 3 years, and 66.7% at 4 years.
• Sustained pain relief and treatment success were reported by the majority of patients throughout the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) demonstrates significant long-term effectiveness for managing sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain.
• PNS provides sustained pain relief and high patient satisfaction for up to four years.
• This study establishes PNS as a viable long-term therapeutic option for refractory SIJ pain.