Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Acute Postoperative Pain

The use of electric stimulation for pain control (“neuromodulationNeuromodulation”) has ancient origins. Although studied more extensively for chronic painChronic pain, percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulationPeripheral nerve stimulation, especially when combined with a single injection local anestheticLocal anesthetic based peripheral nerve blockPeripheral nerve block, has the potential to provide weeks of pain relief following painful orthopedic surgeries. In contrast to nerve blocks with local anestheticLocal anesthetic, nerve stimulation produces analgesiaAnalgesia with minimal sensory, proprioceptive, or motor deficits. Percutaneous stimulation of the brachial plexus and femoral and sciatic nerves has been utilized for analgesiaAnalgesia following orthopedic surgery. This chapter will examine the history and mechanism of action of neuromodulationNeuromodulation, its application in acute postoperative pain managementPostoperative pain management, as well as associated contraindications and potential complications.