Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Therapeutic Effects of FSN Treatment – Bridging Research and Clinical Applications in Neuropathic Pain
Published on: June 30, 2023
Long-Term Reduction of Sacroiliac Joint Pain With Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Marin Guentchev1,2, Christian Preuss1, Rainer Rink1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Idar-Oberstein, Idar-Oberstein, Germany.
Background:
We recently demonstrated that 86% of the patients treated with peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for therapy-refractory sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain were satisfied with the result after 1 year of treatment.
Objective:
To investigate the long-term (up to 4 years) response rate of this novel treatment.
Methods:
Sixteen consecutive patients with therapy-refractory SIJ pain were treated with PNS and followed for 4 years in 3 patients, 3 years in 6 patients, and 2 years in 1 patient. Quality of life, pain, and patient satisfaction were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index 2.0, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and International Patient Satisfaction Index.
Results:
Patients reported a pain reduction from 8.8 to 1.6 (VAS) at 1 year ( P < .001), and 13 of 14 patients (92.9%) rated the therapy as effective (International Patient Satisfaction Index score ≤ 2). At 2 years, average pain score was 1.9 ( P < .001), and 9 of 10 patients (90.0%) considered the treatment a success. At 3 years, 8 of 9 patients (88.9%) were satisfied with the treatment results, reporting an average VAS of 2.0 ( P < .005). At 4 years, 2 of 3 patients were satisfied with the treatment results.
Conclusion:
We have shown for the first time that PNS is a successful long-term therapy for SIJ pain.
