How Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Controls Chronic Pain, With Dr Tim Feldheim- Ep 4

Premier Pain Talk

How Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Controls Chronic Pain, With Dr Tim Feldheim

On today’s episode, Dr. Danko and Dr. Feldheim discuss the rapidly growing and emerging therapy in chronic pain, peripheral nerve stimulation. Dr. Felheim completed his training at The University of Florida and a fellowship at Case Western University. At The Premier Pain Institute they have had positive experiences with peripheral nerve stimulation that they are sharing with the listeners. Tune in for the details!

Episode Highlights:

• Dr. Feldheim explains who peripheral nerve stimulation is good for. They most commonly see peripheral neuropathy characterized by inflammation of the nerves in the lower extremities but can affect the upper; it is usually accompanied by intense burning, numbness, tingling like feeling.
• What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)?
• Lumbar radiculitis is an extremely common cause of a diseased nerve pain state, a lot of people know this as sciatica.
• Dr. Feldheim reviews the list of other conditions that cause peripheral nerve pain and damage.
• Neuropathic pain can be caused by crushing of nerves, lacerations due to trauma or injury, surgical insults, stress injury, small fiber neuropathy and phantom limb pain post amputation.
• What are the current treatments for peripheral nerve stimulation? Dr. Feldheim reviews the medications that are commonly prescribed as well as topical treatments and therapeutic modalities that may help.
• What is peripheral nerve stimulation? It does not include FieldSTEM.
• At PPT, one of their most common is the shoulder, they target the suprascapular nerve.
• Peripheral nerve stimulation is a very safe and effective option. If you are very active, need routine MRI, or for those who have not had success with spinal cord stimulation, this can have great benefits.
• Dr. Danko explains how there is a trial with peripheral nerve stimulation and why that is both exciting and important.
• Multiple imaging modalities can be used to target the nerves.
• Dr. Danko explains the setup of the devices and how they work.
• A team of specialists work with the STIMwave technologies on insurance and things of that nature.
• Dr. Danko asks Dr. Feldheim to share other conditions that he has seen in regards to peripheral nerve stimulation.
• Are these procedures done in the office or the operating room?
• How long does the trial last?
• Dr. Feldheim explains which patients would be best served with spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation.
• What about knee replacement issues?
• Needing a battery versus not needing a battery: what are the pros and cons? Dr. Danko explains.
• How does stimulation compare to the TENS unit?
• How long does the procedure take and what is the recovery period?

3 Key Points:

1. There are many conditions that can cause issues in peripheral nerves. Dr. Danko and Dr. Feldheim are explaining the common causes and current treatments for this type of pain.
2. The wearable device used for peripheral nerve stimulation is very durable and effective offering freedom to do daily activities and have better quality of life.
3. What is the difference between spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation and what are indicators for one treatment over the other?

Resources Mentioned:

• https://premierpaintreatment.com/

• https://www.facebook.com/PremierPainTreatment/

• 513-454-7246