Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Uses High-Frequency Electromagnetic Coupling Technology to Power an Implanted Neurostimulator With a Separate Receiver for the Treatment of Chronic Knee Pain: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: Chronic knee pain is highly prevalent in the United States, especially within the older population. The condition negatively impacts overall quality of life and can be a substantial financial burden. Current conservative and surgical interventions are not always effective in managing chronic knee pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) can be an alternative to current management strategies. CASE REPORT: Data was retrospectively extracted from the electronic medical records of patients who received a permanent Freedom® PNS System for treating chronic knee pain. Systems were implanted for at least one month. Outcomes of interest included pain levels and occurrences of adverse events. Seven patients were included in this analysis. Pain scores decreased from 9.8 ± 0.3 to 1.6 ± 1.5 after the trial. The average pain score was 1.3 ± 0.8 at one month, with no adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic knee pain can be safely managed with the Freedom PNS System. KEY WORDS: Peripheral nerve stimulation, chronic pain, CRPS, infrapatellar saphenous neuralgia