Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-s) for potential resolution of restless leg syndrome symptoms and increased cost savings for patients: A case study

Alaa Abd-Elsayed; Robert Moghim; Noora Reffat

doi:10.1111/papr.13349

Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-s) for potential resolution of restless leg syndrome symptoms and increased cost savings for patients: A case study

Pain Pract. 2024 Jan 18. doi: 10.1111/papr.13349. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alaa Abd-Elsayed¹, Robert Moghim², Noora Reffat³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
² Colorado Pain Care, Denver, Colorado, USA.
³ University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

PMID: 38239056
DOI: 10.1111/papr.13349

Abstract

Introduction: We report successful use of dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-s) to treat a patient with persistent symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS).

Methods: The treatment involved the placement of a small device millimeters away from the patient's DRG, which are nerves near the spinal cord that carry sensory information from the periphery of the body to the brain. The device automatically delivers electrical impulse to the DRG to alter and decrease pain perception in the brain.

Results: Our case report elucidates the use of this procedure as a targeted therapy for RLS, with a nearly 90% reduction in reported symptoms in our patient, thus potentially reducing morbidity associated with this condition. Furthermore, we report a 10-year cost savings of nearly $90,000 following DRG-s for our patient.

Conclusion: This case study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of DRG-s neuromodulation in managing RLS, a condition that is often difficult and costly to treat.

Keywords: chronic pain; dorsal root ganglion; resless leg syndrome; stimulation.

Publication types

Case Reports