Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in Chicago
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) places a thin lead next to a single nerve outside the spine, and mild electrical pulses calm the pain signals that nerve carries. It is used for chronic pain from one nerve or area, such as the low back, shoulder, groin or chest wall, when other treatment hasn’t helped enough. The lead is placed through a needle, and you try it before anything is implanted.
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Workers’ Comp, HMO referral or complex insurance? Call (312) 414-1088.
Where it’s done
Temporary leads are usually placed in the office. Implanted systems are placed at Insight Hospital and Medical Center, 2525 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616, or at affiliated outpatient surgery centers. Your consultation, programming and follow-up visits are at our South Loop or Streeterville office.
What peripheral nerve stimulation does
Similar to spinal cord stimulators (SCS), patients can receive peripheral nerve stimulators (PNS), devices that interfere with chronic pain signaling from nerves located outside of the spine.
This method does not eliminate the source of pain but, instead, blocks the sensation so that the patient feels less of it. The device is programmed to provide each patient with settings suited to their condition.
Because the lead sits beside one nerve, the stimulation stays focused on the area that nerve serves. Most patients feel a mild tingling there, or nothing at all.
Talk to Dr. Elbaridi about peripheral nerve stimulation
Same-week appointments at our South Loop and Streeterville offices.
Opens our secure booking calendar — this page stays open.
Workers’ Comp, HMO referral or complex insurance? Call (312) 414-1088.
Who PNS is for
Dr. Elbaridi decides whether peripheral nerve stimulation fits your pain after your consultation, your exam and your imaging. You may be a candidate if you have:
- chronic low back pain that hasn’t improved enough with therapy, injections or radiofrequency ablation
- chronic shoulder pain
- nerve pain after surgery or an injury, such as in the groin or chest wall
- pain from one nerve in the arm, leg, foot or ankle
- pain that has lasted three months or longer despite medications, physical therapy or nerve blocks
Who is not a candidate
Peripheral nerve stimulation may not be appropriate when:
- there is an active infection, especially near the lead site
- bleeding risk is not adequately controlled
- the pain is widespread rather than in one area
- you have an implanted heart device that hasn’t been cleared for it
- you are unable to care for the lead site or use the controller
- you decide not to go ahead with treatment
How PNS is done
Before a stimulator is implanted, patients are able to trial an external version.
1. A temporary lead
A thin lead, finer than a hair in some systems, is placed beside the nerve through a needle, guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy. It connects to a small stimulator worn on the skin. Some temporary leads are worn for up to about two months, and for some patients that treatment period is enough.
2. An implanted system, if needed
If the temporary lead clearly reduces your pain and the pain returns after it comes out, an implanted lead can be placed under the skin through a small incision. The amount of relief provided varies from person to person and, if the trial stimulator is unsuccessful, it can easily be removed and the patient can pursue other forms of treatment.
Anesthesia
The temporary lead is placed with local anesthetic. An implanted system is usually placed with monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Every procedure is performed under fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance.
How long it takes
Placing a temporary lead takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and you go home the same day. If you have sedation, arrange for someone to drive you home.
Recovery
Most patients return to normal daily activity right away. While a temporary lead is in, keep the site clean and dry, avoid soaking in a bath or pool, and avoid strenuous stretching of that area.
Living with PNS
Programming and follow-up
Your settings are adjusted at follow-up visits, and you use a controller to change them day to day.
Tell any doctor about your device before an MRI or another procedure. Many devices allow MRI only under specific conditions.
A bridge to recovery, not a lifelong treatment
We believe movement is the essence of recovery: physical therapy, yoga and strengthening. Pain management is an important intermediate step. It brings pain down enough for you to do the work that keeps you better.
When appropriate, treating the source of the pain is often a better strategy than relying on long-term opioids.
An interdisciplinary plan
Dr. Elbaridi performs the full spectrum of interventional pain management, from diagnostic nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation to minimally invasive spine procedures and implanted devices. Every plan is interdisciplinary: physical therapy, movement and strengthening, coordinated with your primary care doctor and, when needed, a spine surgeon.
Dr. Nidal Elbaridi, MD
- Anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician
- Interventional pain fellowship, Harvard Medical School / Brigham and Women’s Hospital (2016)
- Anesthesiology residency, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County (2015)
- MD, Ross University School of Medicine (2010)
- Former licensed physical therapist (B.S., Indiana University, 1997)
Insurance and prior authorization
- We pre-authorize every procedure, peripheral nerve stimulation included, before it is scheduled.
- We do not charge out-of-network rates. We verify benefits and pre-authorize before your procedure, so there are no surprise bills afterward.
Most insurance accepted, including Medicare, Medicare Advantage, PPO and HMO plans. Coverage depends on medical necessity — we verify before your visit.
Nerve pain after a work injury or accident
Your first visit can happen this week. Procedures are pre-authorized with the carrier before they’re scheduled.
We also accept Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury (Letter of Protection) cases. See Workers’ Comp and personal injury, or call (312) 414-1088.
Peripheral nerve stimulation questions, answered
How is PNS different from spinal cord or DRG stimulation?
All three are stimulators. Spinal cord and DRG stimulation work at the spine; PNS works at a single nerve outside the spine, closer to where you feel the pain, and often starts with a temporary lead placed in the office.
Does placing the lead hurt?
The skin is numbed first, and most patients feel only pressure while the lead is placed.
Will I need an implant?
Not always. For some patients, a temporary lead worn for several weeks is enough. An implant is considered only if the temporary lead helped and the pain comes back.
Can I shower with a temporary lead?
Yes, with the site covered as instructed. Avoid baths, pools and hot tubs until the lead is out.
Can I have an MRI with a stimulator?
Sometimes, under specific conditions that depend on the device. Always tell the MRI team about your stimulator first.
Is peripheral nerve stimulation covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on medical necessity, and we verify before your visit. We verify benefits and pre-authorize before your procedure, so there are no surprise bills afterward.
Book your appointment at Loop Medical Center
Same-week appointments at our South Loop and Streeterville locations.
Opens our secure booking calendar — this page stays open.
Workers’ Comp, HMO referral or complex insurance? Call (312) 414-1088.