Journal of Pain Research (Apr 2023)

Birds of a Feather Redux: Defining Ways to Stimulate the Peripheral Nervous System

  • Deer T,
  • Shah A,
  • Slavin K,
  • Vorenkamp KE,
  • Shah S,
  • Leong M,
  • McRoberts WP

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 1219 – 1224

Abstract

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Timothy Deer,1 Anuj Shah,2 Konstantin Slavin,3 Kevin E Vorenkamp,4 Shalini Shah,5 Michael Leong,6 W Porter McRoberts7 1The Spine and Nerve Center of the Virginias, Charleston, WV, USA; 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA; 3Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; 4Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; 5Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Care, University of California Irvine, Orange, CA, USA; 6Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, San Jose, CA, USA; 7Florida Spine and Sports Specialists, Margate, FL, USACorrespondence: Timothy Deer, The Spine and Nerve Center of the Virginias, Charleston, WV, USA, Tel +1 304 610-4604, Email [email protected]: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has become an essential component in the pain management plan for individuals suffering from peripheral nerve-mediated pain. The recent surge in interest in PNS can be attributed to the advancements in imaging techniques and the availability of minimally invasive stimulation systems along with a deeper grasp of PNS physiology. These advancements have made PNS more accessible to clinicians and patients alike. However, it is important to note that PNS requires a different set of technical requirements and skills compared to other pain management procedures. The work, knowledge, and surgical and interventional skillset required for PNS are in a class of their own. This article aims to educate and clarify the differences between procedures that may have similar names but are vastly different in terms of technology, expertise, and skill sets necessary for their safe implementation. Some of the procedures that this article will cover include indirect peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNfS), indirect percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), PENS-Field Stimulation (PENFS), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). By understanding the differences between these procedures, patients and health-care providers can make informed decisions about the best approach for managing pain.Keywords: peripheral nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, minimally invasive stimulation systems

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