Fully implantable peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain: a case report

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Feb;94(2):146-53. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000173.

Abstract

This case report describes the first participant treated with a fully implantable, single-lead peripheral nerve stimulation system for refractory hemiplegic shoulder pain. During the 6-wk trial stage, a temporary lead was placed percutaneously near the terminal branches of the axillary nerve to the deltoid. The primary outcome measure was the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form Question 3, a 0-10 pain numeric rating scale. The participant experienced 75% pain reduction and proceeded to the implantation stage, where he received a single-lead, implantable pulse generator. After 3 wks, the participant became pain-free. However, 7 wks after implantation, the system was turned off because of an unrelated acute medical illness. Hemiplegic shoulder pain reemerged with a Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form Question 3 score of 9. After 11 wks of recovery, peripheral nerve stimulation was reinitiated and the participant became pain-free through the 9-mo follow-up. At 12 mos, Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form Question 3 score was 1. This case report demonstrates the feasibility of a single-lead, fully implantable peripheral nerve stimulation system for refractory hemiplegic shoulder pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Hemiplegia / complications*
  • Humans
  • Implantable Neurostimulators*
  • Male
  • Pain, Intractable / diagnosis
  • Pain, Intractable / etiology
  • Pain, Intractable / therapy*
  • Shoulder Pain / diagnosis
  • Shoulder Pain / etiology
  • Shoulder Pain / therapy*
  • Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / instrumentation*