Editor-in-Chief: Alaa Abd-Elsayed, MD, PhD
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BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the left superficial radial nerve can present significant challenges in pain management, especially when conservative therapies and multiple surgeries fail to provide relief.
CASE REPORT: This case study examines a 50-year-old patient with a history of CRPS type II of the left superficial radial nerve, who underwent 15 interventions, including 6 unsuccessful surgeries since 2021, and experienced extreme, uncontrolled pain after a work-related injury. After the permanent implantation of peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) in November 2022, the patient enjoyed remarkable pain relief for the past one and a half years, with no signs of complications or necessity for further interventions. The PNS trial, permitted by work compensation rules, utilized a single incision technique, anchoring the leads to the brachioradialis fascia using a figure-of-eight 2.0 silk suture configuration.
CONCLUSIONS: PNS has emerged as a valuable treatment modality for chronic pain following failed surgeries. This case study demonstrates the effectiveness of PNS in providing sustained pain relief for a patient with CRPS of the left superficial radial nerve. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term efficacy and safety of PNS in managing refractory pain conditions.
KEY WORDS: Peripheral nerve stimulator, complex regional pain syndrome, refractory pain, nonnarcotic, case report
