Skip to main content

Abstract

Neuromodulation by stimulation is most likely active by changing the balance in excitatory and inhibitory fibers based on the theory of Melzak and Wall. Since its introduction, neuromodulation strategies have progressively been advancing into the periphery. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is the direct electrical stimulation of named nerves outside of the neuroaxis. Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) is the stimulation of unnamed small nerves in the vicinity of pain by superficial, subcutaneous lead placement. Historically, PNS can be performed via an open surgical or percutaneous technique, well described by Stanton-Hicks. The percutaneous technique for both PNS and PNFS has now become more common and presents less risk and invasiveness to the patient. Because of this evolution to less invasive therapies, and the applicability to modern pain practice, this chapter will focus on these more practical approaches to targeting the nervous system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Melzack R, Wall PD. Pain mechanisms: a new theory. Science. 1965;150:971–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hassenusch SJ, Stanton-Hicks M, Schoppa D, Walsh JG, Covington EC. Long-term results of peripheral nerve stimulation for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. J Neurosurg. 1996;84(3):415–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Stanton-Hicks M, Salamon J. Stimulation of the central and peripheral nervous system for the control of pain. J Clin Neurophysiol. 1997;14(1):46–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bittar RG, Teddy PJ. Peripheral neuromodulation for pain. J Clin Neurosci. 2009;16:1259–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Yakovlev AE, Resch BE, Karasev SA. Treatment of intractable hip pain after THA and GTB using peripheral nerve field stimulation: a case series. Wis Med J. 2010;109(3):149–52.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Fishbain D, Goldberg M, Meagher BR, et al. Male and female chronic pain patients characterized by DSMIII psychiatric diagnostic criteria. Pain. 1986;26:181–97.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gallagher R. Primary care and pain medicine: a community solution to the public health problem of chronic pain. Med Clin North Am. 1999;83:555–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Celstin J, Edwards RR, Jamison RN. Pretreatment psychosocial variables as predictors of outcomes following lumbar surgery and spinal cord stimulation: a systematic review and literature synthesis. Pain Med. 2009;10(4):639–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Horlocker TT, Rowlingson JC, Enneking FK, Kopp SL, Benzon HT, Brown DL, Heit JA, Mulroy MF, Rosenquist RW, Tryba MT, Yuan CS. Regional anesthesia in the patient receiving antithrombotic or thrombolytic therapy: American society of regional anesthesia and pain medicine evidence – based guidelines (third edition). Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2010;35(1):64–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Thomas MA, Felsenthal G, Fast A, Yung M. Peripheral neuropathy, chap 39. In: Physical medicine and rehabilitation: principles and practice, vol. 1. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2005. p. 895.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Junqueira LC, Carneiro J, Kelley RO. Chap. 9: Nerve tissue and the nervous system. In: Basic histology. 9th ed. Norwalk: Appleton and Lange; 1995. p. 152–80.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Leng CL, Torrillo TM, Rosenblatt MA. Complications of peripheral nerve blocks. Br J Anaesth. 2010;105(S1):i97–107.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Johnson JO, Grecu L, Lawson NW: Autonomic nervous system. In: Barash PG, Cullen BF, Stoelting RK, Cahalan MK, Stock MC, Editors. Clinical Anesthesia. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009, pp 326–368.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Grinberg Y, Schiefer MA, Tyler DJ, Gustafson KJ. Fascicular perineurium thickness, size, and position affect model predictions of neural excitation. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2008;16:572–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Brown DL. Atlas of regional anesthesia. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Inc; 2006. ISBN 13: 978-1-4160-2239-8.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Slavin KV, Wess C. Trigeminal branch stimulation for intractable neuropathic pain: technical note. Neuromodulation. 2005;8(1):7–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Jasper J, Hayek S. Implanted occipital nerve stimulator. Pain Physician. 2008;11:187–200.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Amin S, Buvanendran A, Park KS, Kroin JS, Moric M. Peripheral nerve stimulator for the treatment of supraorbital neuralgia: a retrospective case series. Cephalalgia. 2008;28:355–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Trentman TL, Mueller JT, Shah DM, Zimmerman RS, Noble BM. Occipital nerve stimulator lead pathway length changes with volunteer movement: an in vitro study. Pain Pract. 2010;10(1):42–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Goadsby PJ, Hoskin KL. The distribution of trigeminovascular afferents in the nonhuman primate brain Macaca nemestrina: a c-fos immunocytochemical study. J Anat. 1997;190:367–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Anthony M. Headache and the greater occipital nerve. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 1992;94(4):297–301.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Schwedt TJ, Dodick D, Hentz J, Trentman TL, Zimmerman RS. Occipital nerve stimulation for chronic headache-long-term safety and efficacy. Cephalalgia. 2007;27:153–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Bovim G, Lucas B, Fredriksen TA, Lindboe CF, Stolt-Nielsen A, Sjaastad O. Topographic variations in the peripheral course of the greater occipital nerve: autopsy study with clinical correlations. Spine. 1991;16(4):475–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mosser SW, Guyuron B, Janis J, Rohrich R. The anatomy of the greater occipital nerve: implications for the etiology of migraine headaches. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;114(2):693–7.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Loukas M. Identification of the greater occipital nerve landmarks for the treatment of occipital neuralgia. Folia Morphol. 2006;65(4):337–42.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Hayek SM, Jasper JF, Deer TR, Narouze SN. Occipital neurostimulation-induced muscle spasms: implications for lead placement. Pain Physician. 2009;12:867–76.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Oh MY, Ortega J, Bellotte JB, Whiting DM, Alo K. Peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of occipital neuralgia and transformed migraine using a C1–2–3 subcutaneous paddle style electrode: a technical report. Neuromodulation. 2004;7:103–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Huntoon MA, Burgher AH. Ultrasound-guided permanent implantation of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) system for neuropathic pain of the extremities: original cases and outcomes. Pain Med. 2009;10:1369–77.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Drake R, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Slide 550 in Image Collection. Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 2nd Edition 2009. Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Johnson RD, Green A, Aziz TZ. Implantation of an intercostal nerve stimulator for chronic abdominal pain. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2010;92:1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Eichenberger U, Greher M, Kirchmair L, Curatolo M, Moriggl B. Ultrasound-guided blocks of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve: accuracy of a selective new technique confirmed by anatomical dissection. Br J Anaesth. 2006;97:238–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Gofeld M, Christakis M. Sonographically guided ilioinguinal nerve block. J Ultrasound Med. 2006;25:1571–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Paicius RM, Bernstein CA, Lempert-Cohen C. Peripheral nerve field stimulation for the treatment of chronic low back pain: preliminary results of long-term follow-up: a case series. Neuromodulation. 2007;10(3):279–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Deer TR, Levy RM, Rosenfeld EL. Prospective clinical study of a new implantable peripheral nerve stimulation device to treat chronic pain. Clin J Pain. 2010;26:359–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Paicius RM, Bernstein CA, Lempert-Cohen C. Peripheral nerve field stimulation in chronic abdominal pain. Pain Physician. 2006;9:261–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Baralot G. Peripheral subcutaneous stimulation: a photographic surgical atlas. Denver: The Barolat Institute; 2009. p. 10.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Huntoon MA, Huntoon EA, Obray JB, Lamer TJ. Feasibility of ultrasound-guided percutaneous placement of peripheral nerve stimulation electrodes in a cadaver model: part one, lower extremity. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2008;33(6):551–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason E. Pope M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 American Academy of Pain Medicine

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pope, J.E., Deer, T.R., Grigsby, E.J., Kim, P.S. (2013). Stimulation of the Peripheral Nerve and Peripheral Nerve Field. In: Deer, T., et al. Comprehensive Treatment of Chronic Pain by Medical, Interventional, and Integrative Approaches. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1560-2_57

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1560-2_57

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-1559-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-1560-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics