BACKGROUND: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a neuropathic pain syndrome resulting from lateral femoral cutaneous nerve irritation or injury. Patients who fail to respond to conservative therapies can find relief after interventions, including nerve blocks and decompression surgery, but some continue to experience pain. Temporary percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a minimally invasive option for targeted neuropathic pain management, though there is limited evidence of its efficacy in the management of MP.

CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old man with MP unresponsive to conservative and surgical management underwent a 60-day percutaneous PNS trial. He experienced immediate and sustained pain relief (80%) with marked improvement in ambulation and sleep, which persisted at > 60% pain reduction 12 months after implantation.

CONCLUSIONS: Temporary percutaneous PNS may be an effective option for patients with MP refractory to conservative and surgical management.

KEYWORDS: Shoulder pain, dorsal scapular nerve, neuromodulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, scapulalgia