Peripheral Nerve Treatment Specialist

Fort Neuro

Interventional Pain Management & Neurosurgeon located in Fort Smith, AR

If you have chronic musculoskeletal pain that isn't responding to conservative approaches, peripheral nerve treatment could be the answer. Board-certified neurosurgeon Tim Maryanov, MD, and his team at Fort Neuro in Fort Smith, Arkansas, are experts in performing this relatively simple outpatient procedure that uses electrical impulses to stop your brain from receiving specific pain messages. To benefit from long-term pain relief with minimally invasive peripheral nerve stimulation, call Fort Neuro today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.

Peripheral Nerve Treatment

Peripheral nerves stimulation of the brachial plexus, collection of nerves between neck and shoulder, to cure intractable arm pain after injury, trauma or surgery

What is peripheral nerve treatment?

Peripheral nerve treatment is an advanced way of reducing persistent musculoskeletal pain.

The nerves in your spinal cord are part of your central nervous system (CNS). Your peripheral nerves branch out from your spine to all of the other parts of your body.

A well-established approach to treating chronic pain is with spinal cord stimulation. However, recently validated studies show that treating the peripheral nerves instead is effective for a large percentage of patients experiencing chronic pain. This is because many causes of chronic pain lie with the peripheral nervous system rather than the spine.

The Fort Neuro team uses minimally invasive techniques and cutting-edge technology from Nevro® and Stimwave® to block peripheral nerve pain signals at their source.

How does peripheral nerve treatment work?

Peripheral nerve treatment — also known as peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) — uses electrical pulses to disrupt pain signals and stop them from reaching your brain.

The Fort Neuro team inserts electrodes, which are like thin wires, into the peripheral nerve pathway that carries the pain signals. A weak electrical current going through the electrodes stimulates the nerve. Your brain blocks or reduces the severity of the pain signals in response.

What conditions can peripheral nerve treatment be used for?

Conditions that the Fort Neuro team find especially suited to peripheral nerve stimulation include:

  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
  • Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
  • Ilioinguinal neuralgia
  • Intercostal neuralgia
  • Lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy
  • Occipital neuralgia
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Postherpetic neuralgia
  • Post-thoracotomy syndrome
  • Trigeminal neuralgia

Any condition that originates in your peripheral nervous system could benefit from peripheral nerve stimulation.

What does peripheral nerve treatment involve?

Peripheral nerve stimulation requires an initial trial to ensure the treatment is going to be effective for you. The trial involves implanting electrodes in your body, and you control them using an external device.

The Fort Neuro team uses sophisticated imaging technology called fluoroscopy (a kind of moving X-ray) to ensure that the electrodes are in the optimal position. They also ask you to let them know when the wires are most effective.

If all goes well and your trial is successful, you undergo the second stage of your peripheral nerve treatment. The Fort Neuro team implants permanent electrodes and places a small generator under your skin. You control the stimulator using a remote wireless technology device.

What does peripheral nerve treatment feel like?

Once you have a peripheral nerve stimulator implant, you feel a tingling sensation when the electrical currents go to the nerve. You can increase or decrease the speed and intensity of the electrical pulses depending on your degree of pain.

To find out more about peripheral nerve treatment, call Fort Neuro today or book an appointment online.