Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Knee Pain

Knee pain affects about one quarter of adults, with effects that range from mild, yet bothersome, to severe and disabling. If initial treatments have only gone so far for your own symptoms, you may want to consider peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS).

Our expert team at Houston Pain Specialists, led by board-certified pain management specialist Hui Kang, MD, uses the Nalu Medical device to provide this advanced, drug-free treatment for good candidates.

Here’s a closer look at knee pain, including how PNS helps and signs you’re a good candidate.

Common causes of knee pain

Anything that damages or strains your knee joint or surrounding tissues can cause knee pain. While acute, or sudden, knee pain may diminish as your knee heals, chronic knee pain lasts for several months or longer.

Some of the most common causes include athletic injuries and wear-and-tear from aging or years of overuse. 

Conditions and injuries that fuel chronic knee pain include:

• Falls and fractures
• Ligament tears
• Meniscus tears
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Tendinitis

While anyone can develop painful knee issues, they’re especially common among athletes, older adults, and people who carry excess weight or lead a sedentary lifestyle. Genetic factors may also contribute.

How peripheral nerve stimulation helps

Peripheral nerve stimulation uses mild electrical signals to disrupt pain signals to your brain, leading to eliminated or significantly less pain. The Nalu system we use at Houston Pain Specialists requires only a minimally invasive procedure and allows for customized, continual pain relief.

One study showed that patients who received PNS for chronic knee pain experienced far less pain within six months. About 75% of the patients reported pain reduction of 50% or more.

Beyond the direct pain relief PNS provides, the treatment may make physical therapy and other forms of exercise more feasible and effective. As a result, PNS may help prevent added pain and injury moving forward. 

When to consider PNS for knee pain

You may be a strong candidate for peripheral nerve stimulation if your knee pain hasn’t responded well to conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, rest, and over-the-counter medication. 

PNS may also be ideal if you’re unable to take medication, would prefer to take less of it, or wish to avoid surgery.

Our team may advise against PNS if you have a bleeding disorder, severe infection, or spinal malformation. A pacemaker or drug addiction may interfere with PNS. If any of these factors apply, we can recommend other treatments that suit your needs and preferences.

To learn more about peripheral nerve stimulation or get started with customized knee pain treatment, contact our Houston, Texas, office today to schedule an appointment.