Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Rotator Cuff-Induced Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Literature Review.

Background: Chronic shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in a primary care setting, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 10.8% to 55.2%. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) was discovered in the 1960s; however, it is a newly emerging treatment for chronic shoulder pain secondary to rotator cuff pathology.

Methods: Patients in these studies had chronic shoulder pain, lasting 12 months or more, attributable to rotator cuff etiology. The search was limited to studies published between 2010 and 2023.

Results: All 4 studies reported a substantial reduction in pain ranging from 40% to 100%, observed between 42 and 407 days post-PNS placement. Three patients also noted a 29% to 75% reduction in opioid use.

Conclusions: Preliminary studies suggest that PNS may be an effective treatment option for chronic shoulder pain due to rotator cuff etiology. To accurately assess the effect of PNS on chronic shoulder pain due to rotator cuff pathology significantly more data, including prospective trials, are required and warrant pursuit.