What is a Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator?

What is peripheral nerve stimulation?

Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a minimally invasive treatment for several different types of pain, namely back, neck, arm, and leg pain. It uses gentle electrical pulses to interrupt pain signals sent from peripheral nerves–those located outside the spine or brain–prior to reaching the brain, which is where pain is perceived. PNS is a form of neuromodulation. Other neuromodulation procedures offered by Denver spine surgeons at Neurosurgery One include Intracept basiverterbral nerve ablation and spinal cord stimulation.

Unlike those procedures, which require minimally invasive surgery to implant electrodes and a generator to provide long-term treatment, the Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator is temporary and does not require surgery.  A tiny lead is inserted via a needle to target and then stimulate the peripheral nerve once connected to an external device. The device is worn for up to 60 days and then removed while pain relief continues for several months or years.

How does the Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator work?

With the Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator, your Neurosurgery One physician will use image guidance and a small needle to inject a thin wire (lead) to the precise location of the nerve causing you pain. The Sprint PNS procedure does not require surgery or incisions and is typically performed under local anesthesia at one of our outpatient surgery centers.

The wire, which is about the thickness of two human hairs, is then connected to an external generator that weighs just an ounce and is attached to the skin with medical adhesive. Once activated and programmed, the generator sends mild electrical pulses to the nerve for up to 60 days. Patients can adjust the stimulation level as desired using a handheld Bluetooth-enabled remote control. The Sprint PNS can be activated continuously or at specific times of the day, depending on your physician’s recommendation. While the temporary PNS system is in place, the electrical pulses condition the nerve against sending pain signals to the brain. After your treatment period, the lead is removed, and the generator is disconnected in your physician’s office. Pain relief continues for up to two years or longer.

Does the Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator work to relieve pain?

The Sprint PNS peripheral nerve stimulator has been shown to relieve pain for many patients. The device is FDA-cleared for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, including post-operative and post-traumatic pain. Real-world data from a survey of 252 Sprint PNS patients showed:

• 73% of patients experienced “clinically significant” pain relief (at least a 50% improvement in pain) by the end of the 60-day treatment.
• 61% of those patients reported continued improvement of symptoms following the 60-day treatment with some reporting improvement beyond the two-year post-treatment
• 35% of patients reported reducing or stopping use of opioid pain medication by three months following treatment.

How is PNS different from TENS?

The main difference between peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the delivery of the stimulation. TENS delivers electrical currents to the affected nerve through electrodes that adhere to the skin. With PNS, a thin wire is placed inside the body right at the site of the nerve so the electrical pulses are delivered as close as possible to the nerve causing pain. Because TENS is external, it is not as effective as PNS therapy. In fact, study results for TENS have been inconclusive, whereas PNS has been clinically proven to relieve pain.

Is the Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator safe?

More than 10,000 patients have been treated with Sprint PNS as of May 2022. While rare, infection and skin irritation were the most common device-related issues reported by patients and physicians. The majority of side effects resolved within a few days with little to no medical intervention necessary. None of the side effects were classified as serious.

Is a peripheral nerve stimulator right for me?

If you have acute or chronic back, neck, arm or leg pain that has not been helped by physical therapy and pain medication, you can make an appointment to discuss peripheral nerve stimulator with one of Neurosurgery One’s pain management teams which include board-certified physiatrists and physician assistants specially trained in diagnosing and treating all types of spine pain. PNS might also be an option for you if you do not want to continue taking pain medication.

Peripheral nerve stimulators are not for use in patients who:

• Have a deep brain stimulation (DBS) system already implanted.
• Have an active cardiac implant, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.
• Have epilepsy, if the leads are intended to be placed in the head or neck.
• Have a tape or adhesive allergy.

What is recovery like after the procedure to get a sprint peripheral nerve stimulator?

Recovery following the procedure to connect the peripheral nerve stimulator depends upon which PNS device you are using. With the sprint peripheral nerve stimulator, the procedure does not require an incision or surgery and is typically performed under local anesthesia at our outpatient surgery center. Patients go home the same day and most can resume regular activity that day or the next day. You can expect to go about most of your normal activities while using the Sprint PNS, except for swimming and taking baths. Showering is permitted, but you will need to disconnect the pulse generator first. The device is not MRI-safe, so be sure to tell your providers in the event you require any imaging exams.

How long does pain relief from Sprint PNS last?

The Sprint peripheral nerve stimulator is designed to provide significant and sustained pain relief. Many patients see an improvement in their pain almost immediately with the majority of patients experiencing reduced pain by the end of the 60-day treatment. Most patients continue to feel relief 12 months after treatment with the Sprint PNS and many continue to benefit for up to two years or longer.

Is treatment with the Sprint PNS repeatable if my pain returns?

The Sprint PNS System can be repeated for multiple rounds of treatment if needed, based on your response and your physician’s recommendation.