Case Report on Chronic Shoulder Pain and Response to Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Twenty-Four Months After Placement

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Effects of chronic shoulder pain are suffered by millions each year. What options are there for patients who were nonresponsive to conservative treatments and are deemed nonsurgical candidates? CASE REPORT: We present an 82-year-old woman with chronic left shoulder pain secondary to rotator cuff injury. She was nonresponsive to attempts at conservative treatment and pharmacotherapy and was not deemed a surgical candidate. The patient underwent peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) placement targeting suprascapular and axillary nerves. She participated in a survey 24 months post-PNS placement that evaluated her chronic pain and response to PNS and reported an 80% reduction in pain. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates positive short-term reduction in overall chronic shoulder pain after PNS placement, but also highlights the effects of the PNS device 24 months after stimulator placement. As this is just one case highlighted, continued validated research is needed to further support use of PNS devices in this patient population. KEY WORDS: Peripheral, nerve, stimulator, shoulder, pain, chronic, relief