Peripheral nerve stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a type of neuromodulation that is used to treat chronic (long-term) pain. It uses electrical stimulation to stop certain nerves sending pain signals to the brain.
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What is it for?
For the treatment of chronic pain conditions
Treatment overview
Peripheral nerve stimulation is used to treat chronic pain that is not responding well enough to physiotherapy, painkillers or other medications.
It is effective in conditions where the pain is caused by a single nerve, but has also been shown to work well in treating many other pain syndromes.
Examples of conditions that may be treated by peripheral nerve stimulation include:
- Chronic widespread pain
- Neuropathic (nerve-related) conditions
- Chronic lower back pain
- Post herpetic neuralgia
- Headache disorders
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQs
The peripheral nerve stimulation system consists of a small electrical device that is connected to a tiny electrical wire called an electrode.
The electrode is inserted near the target nerve using a small cut through the skin and muscle, and then secured in place using a tiny stitch.
Initially, the electrode is placed as a trial, with the electrical device being kept outside of the body.
Peripheral nerve stimulation is then performed over a period of seven to ten days.
If the treatment successfully relieves pain, then a second procedure is performed to implant the electrical device more permanently under the skin.
Both procedures are done under either a local anaesthetic with light sedation or using a general anaesthetic.
Following permanent implantation, there is a period of monitoring in hospital for one to two days and then a further review with a specialist after six to eight weeks.
Peripheral nerve stimulation is considered to be a safe procedure, but as with any minor surgical procedures, there are a few risks to consider. These include:
- Infection at the insertion site
- Excessive bleeding or bruising around the insertion site
- Nerve damage
- Movement of the electrodes after implantation
- Mechanical failure of the system
- Failure to provide sufficient pain relief
- Allergic reaction to any of the medications used during the procedure.
Our specialists here at The London Clinic are very experienced in this procedure and will describe it in detail to patients considering it.
They will be able to explain all of the risks and benefits of peripheral nerve stimulation, including those specific to each patient and will be happy to answer any questions.
Recent studies show that between 60 - 70% of patients that have peripheral nerve stimulation procedures experience a 50% reduction in their long-term pain.
It is important to remember that this treatment is not the first option for managing pain, and is usually reserved for specialist cases that are not responding to normal methods of pain management.
Our experts and our experienced multidisciplinary team will be able to help advise each patient on the most appropriate treatment plan for them.