If you’re living with chronic joint pain and the idea of another surgery feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many patients struggle to find lasting relief from chronic pain conditions, especially when conservative treatments like medications, physical therapy, or injections stop working.
At Grand Rapids Pain, we offer a proven alternative – a 7-day peripheral nerve stimulator trial – to help you avoid another invasive surgery. Led by board-certified interventional pain experts Dr. Keith Javery and Dr. Girish Juneja, we specialise in minimally invasive, physician-led therapies that deliver targeted relief and restore function. Our unique approach ensures there’s no middleman—just expert care built around your needs. Call us at (616) 727-0083 or schedule an appointment online to learn if this breakthrough therapy is right for you.
Read on to discover how this short trial works, who it helps, and what to expect.
What is Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, and How Does It Work?
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to provide effective pain relief for joint pain and many other chronic pain conditions. Unlike more invasive surgical procedures, peripheral nerve stimulation doesn't involve removing tissue or altering anatomy permanently.
During the peripheral nerve stimulation procedure, a thin wire (called a lead) is placed near your targeted nerve. This lead connects to an external pulse generator, sending mild electrical pulses. These pulses work by interrupting pain signals traveling from the peripheral nerve to your central nervous system, thereby providing significant pain relief without the need for ongoing pain medications.
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) can be especially effective for treating conditions such as:
- Chronic low back pain
- Chronic knee pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Chronic neuropathic postamputation pain
- Chronic hemiplegic shoulder pain
- Pain from peripheral nerve damage
7-Day Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Trial
Before you commit to a permanent peripheral nerve stimulator, our team at Grand Rapids Pain performs a short-term trial lasting approximately 7 days. The trial helps determine your body's treatment response and if you achieve adequate pain relief to justify a permanent implant.
Here's how the 7-day trial works:
- Under local anesthetic, your pain physician places percutaneous leads near the targeted nerve through a tiny incision.
- These leads connect externally to a portable external pulse generator, allowing adjustment of stimulation parameters during the trial.
- During the trial, you keep a pain diary tracking your pain intensity, physical function, and pain interference in daily activities.
This trial ensures you're comfortable with the therapy and that PNS provides meaningful relief before any long-term commitment.
Comfortable Care—With Sedation Options That Matter
At Grand Rapids Pain, patient comfort isn’t an afterthought—it’s a priority. Unlike many older injection-based procedures where sedation is now often restricted by insurance policies, trials and permanent PNS placement can be done with the support of sedation when medically appropriate.
Depending on your needs, we can offer:
- Moderate intravenous conscious sedation to keep you relaxed, alert, and comfortable during the procedure.
- MAC (Monitored Anesthesia Care), where an anesthesiologist remains in the room to provide deeper sedation and continuously monitor your safety.
We tailor the experience to your comfort level and medical profile, so you can focus on healing—not on fearing the procedure.
Criteria for Success and Long-Term Implantation
To qualify as successful, most patients experience an average pain reduction of at least 50%. Improvements in physical function and a significant reduction in the need for pain medications also indicate successful outcomes.
After reviewing your pain diary and evaluating your response, your pain specialist—either Dr. Keith Javery or Dr. Girish Juneja—will discuss your results and options. If your pain relief during the trial meets these criteria, you may proceed with a permanent placement, offering continuous and adjustable nerve stimulation therapy for sustained relief.
PNS isn’t just an alternative—it’s the new standard for patients who want results without more surgery.
Why Nerve Stimulation Is a Safer, Smarter Choice Than Surgery
When you're contemplating peripheral nerve stimulation versus additional invasive surgical procedures, it's essential to weigh the benefits and risks carefully:
Benefits of PNS include:
- Minimally invasive (no extensive surgery, fewer risks than major surgery)
- Avoids systemic side effects common with pain medications
- Typically performed as an outpatient procedure
- Fully reversible and adjustable stimulation settings
- Provides short-term and long-term pain relief
Possible risks (though rare and minimal) include:
- Mild skin irritation at the lead placement site
- Risk of infection or lead movement (rare, serious adverse events)
- Temporary discomfort during placement
Compared to more invasive surgical options, peripheral nerve stimulation significantly reduces potential complications, recovery time, and overall burden to your body.
Realistic Patient Expectations and Outcomes
Most patients who undergo peripheral nerve stimulation trials experience meaningful reductions in pain scores, translating to better quality of life and decreased disability (as measured by metrics like the Oswestry Disability Index). Realistic expectations include:
- Typical average pain reduction of at least 50%
- Improved ability to participate in physical therapy and daily activities
- Reduced reliance on oral pain medications
- Ongoing support and care directly from your pain physician, without middlemen or delays
The Future of Pain Care—No Middleman, No Delays
It’s not 1999 anymore—so why settle for outdated approaches to chronic pain? At Grand Rapids Pain, led by board-certified interventional pain experts Dr. Javery and Dr. Juneja, we deliver innovative, physician-led care that other clinics simply don’t offer.
We specialize in MIST 2.0 (Minimally Invasive Surgical Therapeutics)—cutting-edge therapies beyond simple nerve blocks or basic injections. Despite the name, these treatments aren't traditional surgeries; they're advanced, minimally invasive procedures specifically designed for precise, targeted relief.
Unlike corporate pain clinics that feel like 'factories,' we ensure:
- Direct interaction with your physician—no middlemen, no delays.
- Advanced care personalized to your unique pain source.
- Shorter wait times and prompt, effective treatments.
We frequently treat:
- Neuropathic pain, including peripheral neuropathy
- Post-operative chronic pain syndromes
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Chronic pelvic and abdominal pain
- Spinal and non-spinal pain conditions resistant to conservative care
Get the Relief You Deserve—No Scalpels, No Delays
Surgery isn't your only option—and it shouldn't be your first. A 7-day nerve stimulator trial gives you the chance to experience real pain relief without permanent changes, long recoveries, or unnecessary risk.
Call Grand Rapids Pain at (616) 727-0083 or schedule your trial online. We're ready to help you move forward, without another operation.
