Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
07:13
Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing
Published on: October 20, 2021
3.1K
Altius electrical nerve stimulation for post-amputation pain treatment: a comprehensive review
Syed I Khalid1, Nikhil Veludandi1, Chibueze Agwu2
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Pain Management
|March 1, 2025
Summary
High-Frequency Nerve Block offers significant pain relief for amputees suffering from post-amputation pain (PAP). This innovative treatment reduces pain intensity and reliance on medications, improving quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Post-amputation pain (PAP) affects up to 85% of amputees, severely impacting quality of life and incurring high healthcare costs.
- Conventional treatments like pharmacotherapy and neuromodulation often yield inadequate relief and carry risks such as opioid dependence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms, development, and clinical application of the Altius High-Frequency Nerve Block System for treating chronic PAP.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel therapeutic approach.
Main Methods:
- The Altius system delivers high-frequency alternating current (HFAC) to peripheral nerves, inducing a reversible conduction block without paresthesia.
- Clinical validation was conducted via the multicenter, double-blind, randomized, active-sham controlled QUEST study.
Main Results:
- The QUEST study demonstrated significant reductions in pain intensity for patients with chronic PAP.
- Patients using the Altius system showed a decreased reliance on pain medications.
Conclusions:
- The Altius High-Frequency Nerve Block System represents a significant advancement in PAP treatment.
- This technology offers sustained pain relief, reduced opioid dependency, and improved quality of life for amputees.
