Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for chronic and post-operative knee pain.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Chronic and Postoperative Knee Pain 

Knee pain is one of the most common types of pain that affects people of all ages. Some of the most common causes of knee pain occur from injury to the cartilage or ligaments, arthritis and fractures. Another common occurrence of knee pain is postoperative. It is estimated that in the United States alone, up to 15% of patients who undergo a total knee replacement will experience joint pain that persists 2 –5 years after the procedure. Chronic knee pain that occurs following knee surgery can often be the result of swelling/inflammation and damage to the genicular, saphenous and/or sciatic nerve or some of it's branches. At Advanced Pain Management Center, Vladimir Fiks, MD specializes in treating nerve pain around the knee by utilizing peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). 

Chronic knee conditions treated with PNS include: 

• Chronic persistent postoperative knee pain
• End stage knee arthritis when surgery is not an option

What is the process of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation? 

To be a candidate for PNS, Dr. Fiks must establish that the source of your knee pain arises from the specific nerve. This is determined by conducting a diagnostic nerve block. Dr. Fiks injects medication into the branches of the particular nerve that block pain signals from traveling from the knee through to the brain. If the block is found to have helped reduce medication use or intensity of the pain in the knee, PNS may follow.  

PNS works by targeting the nerves of the peripheral nervous system that are responsible for the pain. Wire-like electrodes are placed next to one or more of the peripheral nerves. In the case of chronic knee pain, PNS typically targets the saphenous nerve or one of it's branches, such as the genicular nerve.  PNS works by blocking the pain signals sent from the affected nerve to the brain and replacing it with a more pleasant sensation, or no feeling at all. Typically, a one-week trial is first conducted in which the patient is able to determine for themselves whether they gain enough relief from the treatment. If relief of over 50% is established, the implantation can proceed. Patients are able to go home the day of the procedure and full recovery time typically takes 6-8 weeks. 

If you are suffering from chronic or postoperative knee pain do not hesitate to call our office today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Fiks. Peripheral nerve stimulation may significantly improve your quality of life.