SPRINT PNS; Ankle Pain
Getting back on the Course
Larry of Columbus, Ohio is an avid golfer who enjoys the natural beauty of the courses, particularly by walking them rather than taking a cart. For a number of years, this was completely out of the question because of debilitating pain in his ankle that took away the flexibility and easy-going life style he’d worked so hard to earn in his retirement. “Even on my best days, I knew I couldn’t walk a course. I just wasn’t able to do that, and it was more of a question if I could even play at all,” said Larry.
unraveling a Pain Mystery
In 2019, Larry began having increasingly significant pain in his left foot and ankle. His career as a production manager at a large plant kept him on his feet for 10-12 hour stretches at a time, which had resulted in minor foot issues over the years. But this was another level of uncontrolled pain that he couldn’t manage. Initially, visits to an orthopedic specialist weren’t able to pinpoint an issue and led to a series of referrals to knee, hip, and spine doctors, all while performing physical therapy in an effort to alleviate the discomfort. “It was a frustrating journey of being told ‘nothing is wrong, we can’t find anything’” he recalled.
Eventually, after several disappointing dead ends, Larry made his way to The Ohio State University. His pain specialist was able to identify the issue related to chronic overuse and nerve pain in the tarsal tunnel within the ankle. A nerve block provided temporary relief, but not long enough to allow his ankle to heal. Above all else, Larry wanted to remain active and to participate in one of his favorite weekly activities: spending time with his grandchildren.
At that time, after determining that nerve blocks and other treatments didn’t offer Larry a long-term solution, his physician suggested treating the nerve pain with SPRINT PNS. Learning there was a minimally invasive option that could potentially help his pain was a welcome relief to Larry. “I knew a tremendous amount about the concept because my wife had utilized PNS to treat pain in her shoulder. I understood what my doctor was talking about when SPRINT came up as an option that could potentially help me, and I was thrilled. I was willing to try anything that would help with the constant pain at that point,” he explained.
Living Life on His Terms
Since completing his SPRINT PNS treatment, Larry has enjoyed significant pain relief and has the freedom to live life again as he’d hoped. “We babysit our grandkids a couple of days each week, and thankfully we don’t have to plan around how I feel each day. I don’t have to say ‘we can’t go to the zoo today’ because of pain. I hated having to do that. Now, I don’t need to make that decision anymore and it’s wonderful,” he said.
And the golf course? “I play two or three times a week when the weather is nice. I walk 18 holes and 16,000 steps without a problem. I couldn’t have imagined that a couple of years ago,” said Larry. “Anybody that’s living through the pain I was having on a daily basis; this is worth it. You can’t imagine how much better you may feel. It’s been a game changer for me.”
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.
