Wireless Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Shoulder Pain

Background: Shoulder pain is a common condition, often refractory to treatment. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) can be efficacious in providing relief of shoulder pain while improvingpain-related quality of life (QOL). The objective of this case report is to demonstrate the effectiveness ofa minimally invasive wireless PNS in the treatment of chronic shoulder pain.Case Report: This 94-year old man presented with severe shoulder pain. He suffered from poliomyelitis as a child affectinghis left leg, forcing him to use crutches to be ambulatory. He developed progressive right shoulderpain and was subsequently diagnosed with right glenohumeral osteoarthritis. The patient was treatedsemiannually for 4 years with corticosteroids injections and pain medication with minimal relief (7 outof 10 on the Visual Analog Scale [VAS]). A suprascapular block with lidocaine 2% resulted in significantpain reduction (1 out of 10 on the VAS). As a result, the patient opted for wireless PNS of the SSN via aminimally invasive procedure. Two weeks post implant, the patient reported no postoperative pain, andhis chronic pain was rated 0 out of 10 even during movement. Reports of reduced pain were sustainedthroughout the 6 months of observation with subsequent improvements in QOL and functionality.Conclusion: Wireless neurostimulation of the SSN can be a very effective therapy option for the treatment of refractory,chronic shoulder pain as a result of glenohumeral osteoarthritis.Key words: Endoscopic spine surgery, lumbar radiculopathy, minimally invasive spine, SI joint fusion