Single-lead percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation for the treatment of shoulder pain from subacromial impingement syndrome

Abstract

This case report demonstrates the feasibility of a single-lead peripheral nerve stimulation system for the treatment of pain secondary to chronic subacromial impingement syndrome. The participant was a 57-year-old man who experienced persistent pain from subacromial impingement syndrome for 20 months despite having undergone conservative therapy of steroid injection and physical therapy. After study enrollment, a single intramuscular lead was placed percutaneously into the deltoid muscle of the affected shoulder. He was treated 6 hours per day for 3 weeks and the lead was removed. The primary outcome measure was the Brief Pain Inventory (Short-form) Question 3 (BPI 3), which queries the worst pain in the last week on a 0-10 numerical rating scale. At baseline, BPI 3 was an 8. At the end of treatment and at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment, BPI 3 scores were 2, 0, and 0, respectively. Substantial improvements in shoulder impairment, quality of life, and shoulder disability measures were also observed. Additional studies are needed to further demonstrate safety and efficacy, determine optimal dose, define optimal prescriptive parameters, expand clinical indications, and demonstrate long-term effect.

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: SPR Therapeutics donated supplies for this study has a commercial interest in the device presented in this case report. John Chae, MD is a consultant to SPR Therapeutics, Maria Bennett is an employee of SPR Therapeutics.

Copyright © 2012 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Schematic of percutaneous intramuscular lead (top) and actual lead loaded in the percutaneous insulated needle introducer (bottom).

Figure 2

Schematic of the single-lead peripheral nerve stimulator system.