SPRINT PNS; Nerve Pain
Six years ago, Stephen was managing a local retail store, and as he was getting ready to go home for the day, he discovered that someone had left a large gate open behind the store. As Stephen shut the gate and turned to latch it, one of the gate’s 80-pound tow motor extensions fell directly on his right foot.
As he lay on the ground in agony, he dialed 911, and when the rescue squad showed up, they had to cut off his shoe before transporting him to the hospital. Once there, the doctors determined he had fractured both the calcaneus and cuboid bones in his foot, and he needed surgery.
A failed surgery
“The surgery supposedly repaired my bones and the laceration, but over time, the pain became unbearable,” says Stephen. He eventually saw a foot specialist who discovered that the cuboid bone was never fixed. This led to another surgery. “As they went in, they discovered the bone had grown to the outer part of my foot, so they had to remove it and replace it with a cadaver bone.”
Despite the repair, the pain did not go away. Stephen tried many over-the-counter and prescription medications, but none of them worked. He was sent to physical therapy but that only made his pain worse. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, which is characterized by ongoing severe pain, swelling, heat and inflammation in the injured area.
By this time, Stephen was seeing another specialist who wanted him to try opioids for his pain, but Stephen refused. “I wanted to be in control of myself. Plus, I had a brother who was addicted to opioids, and it led to his death,” explains Stephen.
Depression set in
After that, Stephen became depressed and couldn’t sleep. “I was always in pain. I had to use a walker and did a lot of sitting. I got so low, I just wasn’t the same person,” says Stephen. “It drove my wife, Stacey, nuts.”
Finally, Stephen’s pain specialist sent him to see a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Initially, his physician tried several injections that, according to Stephen, did nothing. Then, the doctor described the SPRINT® PNS system and told Stephen he was a good candidate for it. Stephen was intrigued, especially when the doctor mentioned he had used it successfully with veterans. “Since I was holding at a pain level of 10, I needed to do something. I researched SPRINT for about a week then agreed to let him try it,” says Stephen.
Back to life
In the many months since his 60-day treatment, Stephen says his pain level after SPRINT is now around a two or a four. “Before SPRINT I was crying several times a day. I’m smiling again and I can now do so much more.”
He says his foot used to double in size from inflammation, but he now can wear normal shoes and walk without assistance. He’s pleased to report he’s back to activities he wouldn’t have even considered in recent years: woodworking in his garage, detailing cars, and helping his daughter with home projects.
“When you’re in so much pain like I was, SPRINT just feels like a miracle.”
The SPRINT PNS System is indicated for up to 60 days for: (i) Symptomatic relief of chronic, intractable pain, post-surgical and post-traumatic acute pain; (ii) Symptomatic relief of post-traumatic pain; and (iii) Symptomatic relief of post-operative pain. The SPRINT PNS System is not intended to be placed in the region innervated by the cranial and facial nerves.
Each patient’s testimonial is the result of each patient’s unique situation resulting in varying responses, experiences, risks, and outcomes to the SPRINT PNS System. The patient experiences shared on this page are not medical advice and should not be substituted for the independent medical judgment of a trained healthcare professional. Discuss your options and use of the SPRINT PNS System with your medical provider. Physicians should use their best judgment when deciding when to use the SPRINT PNS System. For more information see the SPRINT PNS System IFU.
Most common side effects are skin irritation and erythema. Results may vary. Rx only.
