SPRINT PNS; Back Pain
Even though Marsha is officially retired, she keeps busy watching her 10-month-old grandson five days a week. He’s one of six grandchildren, and Marsha is devoted to each of them. In fact, she was with one of her grandchildren when she injured her back a year ago.
“I went sledding with her and we hit a rock and went airborne,” explains Marsha. “When I came down, I said, ‘I think I broke my back.” Despite the pain, Marsha didn’t see a doctor right away, figuring she was just sore from landing on the hard snow. When she finally did see her physician a week later, x-rays revealed the cause of her pain was due to a fractured vertebra in her lower back.
No real relief
Marsha’s doctor sent her to a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist who initially prescribed massages and physical therapy as well as muscle relaxants and pain medication. She says she got the massages and did the walking and exercises the physical therapist recommended, but it didn’t do much to address the pain.
Marsha also took the medications but didn’t like doing so unless the pain became too severe. “I prefer to not take anything; I think that’s better for your body.”
For months, her pain varied from a constant five to a seven on a 10-point scale every day. She found that the more activity she did, the more pain she felt. Walking for any length of time was very difficult and sleeping became a challenge. Finally, she visited the PM&R specialist again, telling him, “By the time night comes, I hurt. I hurt when I get up, and all day long, I just hurt.”
She recalls that her specialist was hesitant to prescribe more medication due to its long-term effects on the body, and Marsha agreed. Then he mentioned trying the SPRINT® Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) System, a 60-day treatment, for her chronic back pain. Marsha became excited and told him she wanted to go for it.
Immediately pain free
As soon as the SPRINT System leads were placed in Marsha’s back, she felt immediate relief and the pain she had been feeling for months was gone. “From the day they put it in, I did not have any more pain in my back,” she said. And the treatment itself was fairly easy, according to Marsha. “My husband had to change the bandages for me. He did a great job, and I never had any trouble with it.”
Many months later, Marsha is staying busy with the grandkids and feeling no pain in her back. “I now recommend the SPRINT System to everybody. I think it’s wonderful and am so glad it worked 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.
