Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Intractable Neuropathic Foot Pain in Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report Introducing...

Neuropathic pain is a common yet underrecognized and undertreated issue in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), often resistant to conventional pharmacologic therapies. Despite their potential benefits, interventional approaches remain underutilized in this population.

We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with hemoglobin SCD who developed chronic burning pain in the lower extremity, refractory to opioids and neuropathic agents. Examination revealed marked allodynia, hyperalgesia, and a Douleur Neuropathique-4 questionnaire score of 7, consistent with neuropathic pain. She underwent a 60-day trial of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) targeting the common peroneal nerve, resulting in a 59% reduction in pain severity and a 71.4% improvement in functional interference. These benefits were sustained at 12-month follow-up without complications.

Our case highlights the potential of PNS as a safe and effective treatment option to improve pain control and quality of life in patients with refractory SCD-related neuropathic pain.