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Peripheral Nerve Stimulor Trial
At MVM Health, we invite you to discover if Peripheral Nerve Stimulation is the right solution for your chronic pain. Our minimally invasive PNS trial allows you to experience firsthand how targeted electrical impulses can soothe affected nerves and reduce pain signals.
Understanding Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)
Your body has a complex network of peripheral nerves that function as communication pathways, sending signals between your body, your brain, and your spinal cord. This network includes three main types of nerves:
- Motor Nerves: That control your muscle movement.
- Sensory Nerves: That transmit sensations, including feelings of pain.
- Autonomic Nerves: That manage your body’s automatic functions like heart rate and breathing.
For individuals living with chronic pain, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) offers an innovative approach to relief. The goal of a PNS trial at MVM Health is to determine if this advanced therapy is the right solution for your specific condition.
During the trial, a small, flexible lead is temporarily placed near the peripheral nerve identified as the source of your pain. This device delivers gentle electrical pulses that intercept these pain signals, effectively changing the way your brain interprets them. This allows you to experience the potential for significant pain reduction and improved comfort before considering a long-term solution.
The PNS Trial Process at MVM Health
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation at MVM Health. During this visit, you’ll meet with one of our dedicated pain specialists to discuss your pain history, symptoms, and treatment goals. Our expert will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if you are a suitable candidate for a PNS trial. This collaborative process includes reviewing your past pain management efforts, such as medications or physical therapy, to ensure a trial is your best next step toward relief.
Once you are approved for the trial, your placement procedure will be scheduled. This is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed with local anesthetic that typically takes less than an hour, allowing you to return home the same day. The system works by using mild electrical impulses to prevent pain signals from reaching your brain. These impulses are gentle; many patients feel nothing at all, while others may notice a mild tingling sensation. To enable the trial, a thin, flexible wire (a lead) is placed just beneath the skin near the affected nerve.
Advanced Technologies for Your PNS Trial
In some cases, patients initially try physical therapy or medications, only to find that the radiating pain continues to limit their activities. If your nerve pain does not show significant and consistent improvement during the first several weeks of conservative care, you may be a candidate for an epidural injection.
- Nalu PNS System: Known for its remarkably compact and discreet design, the Nalu system allows for a comfortable trial experience. Its highly customizable stimulation provides a precise way to target your specific pain, making it an excellent platform for evaluating potential long-term relief.
- Bioness StimRouter® PNS System: The StimRouter features a patient-centric design that makes it an ideal choice for a PNS trial. This minimally invasive device is designed for ease of use, delivering targeted electrical pulses that allow you and your MVM Health specialist to effectively assess pain reduction and potential improvements to your quality of life.
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Benefits of a Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Trial
Participating in a Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) trial at MVM Health provides the unique opportunity to explore a new path to pain relief. The primary benefit is discovering if this advanced therapy works for you in a safe, controlled, and temporary manner. Key advantages of the trial process include:
- Minimally Invasive Procedure: The trial involves a simple placement of a thin lead, making it a much less invasive option than major surgery and allowing you to test the therapy with minimal physical impact.
- Convenient Outpatient Process: Your trial lead placement is performed in our comfortable outpatient setting, allowing you to return to the comfort of your own home the very same day.
- Assess Your Potential for Relief: The trial allows you to experience the level of pain relief PNS can provide for your specific condition, giving you and your doctor real-world data on how it could improve your comfort and quality of life.
- Evaluate Medication Needs: By providing an alternative method of pain control, the PNS trial can help you and your specialist determine if this therapy could potentially reduce your long-term reliance on oral pain medications.
- Simple, External System: The trial utilizes a small, discreet power source worn externally, meaning there are no implanted batteries or concerns about power during your evaluation period. The system is designed for ease of use.
Could a PNS Trial Be Right for You?
A PNS trial is an important decision, and it may not be suitable for everyone. However, if your chronic pain is linked to a specific peripheral nerve and you’ve found little relief from other treatments like medication, physical therapy, or injections, then a PNS trial could be your most promising next step.
It’s important to have realistic goals for the trial. The objective of PNS is not always to completely eliminate pain, but rather to reduce it to a much more manageable level. A successful trial can mean regaining the ability to enjoy daily activities, improving your focus, and shifting your attention away from the pain and back to your life.
Don’t let chronic pain dictate the terms of your life. Take the first step toward lasting relief by exploring what a Peripheral Nerve Stimulation trial can do for you. Schedule your personal consultation with an MVM Health specialist today to find out if you are a candidate.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulor Trail
FAQ
What Are the Risks of a PNS Trial?
A Peripheral Nerve Stimulation trial is a safe, established procedure, but like any medical intervention, it has potential risks. The most common include a low risk of infection at the small insertion site, which is managed with sterile techniques and proper care. Another possibility is lead movement, where the thin wire may shift slightly, which can be easily adjusted. Some patients may also feel an uncomfortable sensation from the stimulation, which can be fine-tuned by your specialist. Because the trial is temporary, these risks are minimal and resolved once the lead is removed. Your MVM Health specialist will discuss all potential risks with you to ensure you can make a fully informed decision.
What Can I Expect During the Trial Procedure?
You can expect a comfortable and efficient experience during your trial placement procedure. After a local anesthetic is used to numb the area, your MVM Health specialist will use imaging guidance to carefully place a thin, flexible lead near the nerve causing your pain. This lead is then connected to a small, external trial device that you will wear discreetly. We will test the stimulation with you to ensure it is comfortable and targeting the correct area. The entire outpatient procedure is minimally invasive and typically completed in under an hour, so you can return home the same day.
What Is Recovery and Follow-Up Like During the Trial?
Recovery from the trial placement is typically very quick, with most patients resuming normal, light activities almost immediately. You may have some mild soreness at the insertion site, which is easily managed. Follow-up care is a key part of the trial process. You will be in regular contact with your MVM Health team to track your pain relief levels, provide feedback, and make any necessary adjustments to the stimulation. This collaborative approach ensures we gather the best information to help you decide on a long-term pain management plan.
How Does a PNS Trial Compare to Other Pain Management Options?
A PNS trial offers a distinct advantage over other treatments because it is an evaluative tool, not just another therapy. While medications and injections can offer temporary relief, they often come with systemic side effects; a PNS trial allows you to test a targeted, non-drug therapy. Compared to major surgery, which is permanent and irreversible, the trial is a low-risk, completely reversible way to predict the success of a long-term solution before you commit. It empowers you with real-world data about your own body, offering a level of insight that other pain management approaches do not provide.