Electrical stimulation for relief of pain from chronic nerve injury

Ten patients with various kinds of nerve injury pain were treated by stimulation from subcutaneously implanted electrodes placed on the nerves. Placement of the electrode was proximal to the site of injury in nine patients and distal in one. Pain relief was complete in six of the ten patients. Of the nine patients addicted to narcotics, seven were successfully withdrawn. In one patient the stimulation totally failed to relieve the pain, and in one the pain was made worse.