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Chronic peripheral nerve pain treated with direct electrical nerve stimulation
D W Strege1, W P Cooney, M B Wood
1Division of Hand Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
The Journal of Hand Surgery
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Direct electrical nerve stimulation effectively treats chronic somatic peripheral nerve pain, improving sleep and eliminating the need for narcotic pain medication in most patients. This therapy offers a viable option for refractory nerve pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Chronic somatic peripheral nerve pain presents a significant challenge in pain management.
- Current treatment modalities may not adequately address all patient needs.
Observation:
- A prospective study evaluated direct electrical nerve stimulation for chronic somatic peripheral nerve pain in 24 patients.
- Patient selection involved anesthetic nerve block and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation trials.
Findings:
- 18 out of 24 patients achieved good or excellent results, reporting improved sleep and cessation of narcotic use.
- Six patients experienced implant failures, with reasons including trial non-completion, lack of pain relief, or late equipment malfunction.
- The majority of patients experienced pain reduction, leading to enhanced quality of life.
Implications:
- Direct electrical nerve stimulation is a promising therapeutic option for chronic somatic peripheral nerve pain unresponsive to other treatments.
- This modality can significantly reduce pain and associated behaviors, decreasing reliance on opioid analgesics.
- Further research into optimizing device longevity and patient selection may enhance outcomes.