How Does Wireless Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Work?

PNS delivers mild electrical stimulation to the affected nerve, interfering with pain signals before they reach the brain. This can lead to long-term pain relief and reduced dependence on medication.

Key Benefits of PNS:

Minimally invasive
Drug-free pain relief
Customizable stimulation levels
Reversible and adjustable therapy

If chronic pain is interfering with your daily life, schedule a consultation to see if PNS is right for you.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

The OPS Surgery Center team of spine and pain management specialists will evaluate your condition and discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives of PNS.

You may be a candidate if:

You have chronic nerve pain that has not responded to conservative treatments
You want to avoid surgery
You have successfully responded to a diagnostic nerve block

The Three-Step Process

Diagnostic Nerve Block
- A local anesthetic (numbing medication) is placed around the targeted nerve to assess whether it is the source of your pain.
- If the temporary block provides significant pain relief, you may qualify for a PNS trial.
Trial Phase (3–10 Days)
- A temporary lead (thin wire) is placed under the skin near the affected nerve.
- The lead connects wirelessly to an external device that delivers stimulation to block pain signals.
- During the trial, your pain relief and functional improvements will be monitored.
- If you experience 50–100% pain relief and/or reduced medication use, the trial is considered successful.
Permanent Lead Placement
- If the trial is successful, a permanent lead is placed under the skin near the affected nerve.
- Unlike spinal cord stimulators, PNS does not require a battery implant—the power source is worn externally when stimulation is needed.

If the trial does not provide significant pain relief, the leads are removed, and permanent placement is not recommended.

What Is the Success Rate of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?

PNS is one of the few pain management treatments that allows patients to test effectiveness before committing to a permanent implant.

Only patients who experience significant pain relief during the trial phase proceed to permanent placement.
If the diagnostic nerve block or PNS trial does not provide relief, PNS will not be offered as a treatment option.

Potential Risks and Complications

Although PNS is a safe and well-tolerated procedure, potential risks include:

Hardware failure or loss of effectiveness over time
Allergic reaction to the device
Increased pain or discomfort
Skin erosion or irritation at the implant site

At OPS Surgery Center, we minimize risks by performing PNS in a sterile environment with image-guided precision, led by board-certified pain specialists.

What to Expect During and After the Procedure

Before the Procedure

If you choose sedation, avoid eating or drinking for eight hours before treatment and arrange for someone to drive you home.
You may need to pause certain medications (such as blood thinners) before your procedure.

During the Procedure

The procedure is performed in a sterile operating room with image guidance.
You will be comfortably positioned, and your vital signs will be monitored.
The injection site is sterilized and numbed with local anesthesia.
Using image guidance, the lead is placed near the affected nerve.
After confirming proper placement, the leads are secured and connected to the external stimulator.

Recovery and Post-Procedure Care

You will be monitored in the recovery room before being discharged home.
Temporary soreness at the injection site is common and usually resolves within a few days.
If the trial phase is successful, the permanent lead placement is scheduled.