Chronic joint pain is one of the most common challenges faced by older adults – affecting some 70% of this population. Whether it’s arthritis, previous injuries, or years of wear and tear, persistent pain in the knees, hips, or shoulders can make even simple activities, like walking, climbing stairs, or bathing, feel overwhelming.
The good news is that an effective treatment, called peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), is available for lasting relief. Ioannis Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA, of Expert Pain in Houston, Texas, offers PNS and wants you to know that Medicare now covers it for eligible seniors.
Read on to learn if PNS is something you should explore as a way to alleviate joint pain.
Peripheral nerve stimulation is a minimally invasive, FDA-approved procedure that targets the specific nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals.
By sending mild electrical impulses through a small device placed near these nerves, PNS helps calm down the pain pathways and reduce chronic discomfort at its source. With PNS, you don’t have to rely on surgery or long-term medication use.
And, unlike medications that merely mask pain, PNS addresses the root cause, helping to restore comfort, movement, and quality of life.
Dr. Skaribas typically performs PNS on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. He places a tiny electrode near the nerve contributing to your joint pain, such as in the knee, hip, or shoulder. The electrode connects to a small external stimulator that you wear for several weeks. You use the device to control the level of stimulation for your comfort.
During this trial period, many patients experience a significant reduction in pain and improvement in daily function. If the trial is successful, Dr. Skaribas implants a small internal device for long-term use. The procedure involves minimal downtime, and most patients return to their routine activities within a few days.
By helping restore comfortable movement, PNS often enables older adults to return to activities they love, such as walking or gardening, without the burden of chronic pain.
Medicare now recognizes PNS as a covered treatment for chronic pain when other conservative therapies have failed. This coverage makes it easier for you to access innovative, long-term relief options without significant financial strain. The team at Expert Pain can help determine your eligibility and guide you through the approval process.
Contact the office today to schedule an appointment to have your chronic joint pain evaluated and treated so that you can find some relief. With a Medicare-approved PNS procedure, lasting pain relief and renewed mobility are within reach.
