SPRINT PNS; Shoulder Pain
“It makes me smile to read his journey and what he has been able to accomplish! A walking miracle in every sense of the word!” – Eileen, Frank’s wife
Before SPRINT
Frank and his wife of 27 years, Eileen, retired to Florida until Frank had a stroke in 2017, forcing them to return to the Atlanta area so that Frank could access the care at Shepherd Center, one of the nation’s top pain medicine and rehab facilities.
The stroke paralyzed the right side of Frank’s body. The pain in his shoulder, and later in his forearm and finger, was so severe “it would take his breath away” according to Eileen. Frank compared the pain to being hit in the shoulder by a baseball bat. With physical therapy for his stroke, and as Frank became more ambulatory, the pain worsened. Even the slightest movement—simple tasks like putting on deodorant or a shirt—triggered his pain. But limiting his movement was contributing to atrophy. It was a vicious cycle.
Frank tried many treatments for his chronic pain including patches, high doses of Nucynta (a narcotic pain medication), and nerve block injections, but none of those treatments brought any pain relief.
After SPRINT
Frank had the SPRINT PNS placed in his shoulder for 60 days from December 2017 through January 2018. The shoulder pain he experienced daily was dramatically reduced from 10 on a scale of 0-10 before SPRINT, to between zero and two after SPRINT.
Frank later had a second SPRINT device to treat his finger and forearm pain. Again, the SPRINT system was successful in reducing his pain, as well as the need for pain medication. With less pain and less medication, Frank was able to get back to his rehabilitation. In addition to physical therapy, Frank was able to do strength, endurance and cardio training.
Frank and Eileen now split their time between their home in Georgia and an apartment in Manhattan. Frank works with a trainer in their apartment gym and enjoys walks around their NYC neighborhood, clocking over 7,000 steps on a good day. Frank and Eileen are world travelers. They had put travel on hold following Frank’s stroke but recently went on a 3-week Transatlantic cruise through England and Belgium from New York City.
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.
