SPRINT peripheral nerve stimulation
A small wearable device may help with certain kinds of pain. Treatment lasts up to 60 days, with no planned permanent implant.
What is SPRINT PNS?
PNS means peripheral nerve stimulation. Peripheral nerves carry messages between your body and your brain and spinal cord. A thin wire, called a lead, sits under the skin near a chosen nerve. A small device worn on your body sends mild pulses through the lead to help change pain signals.
SPRINT is a full course of treatment. It is not simply a test for a permanent stimulator. The lead or leads are meant to be removed when treatment ends.
Could it fit my pain?
The right nerve target matters. We review where you hurt, how pain affects your day, your exam, and the care you have tried. This may be an option for selected back, shoulder, knee, or other nerve-related pain, including some pain after injury or surgery. It does not fit every cause of pain.
Before your visit
Tell us about your medicines, allergies, other implanted devices, and any planned MRI. Follow the food, drink, medicine, and ride instructions we give you. Do not change a prescribed medicine on your own.
Placement and comfort
We clean and numb the skin. Image guidance may help us place the lead near the nerve. You may feel tingling or a gentle pulse. Tell us what you feel so we can adjust the lead and settings. A bandage covers the site. The lead connects to the wearable device.
We give numbing medicine time to work. A brief cooling spray may help numb the skin when appropriate. Tell us if you feel nervous. Sometimes medicine to ease anxiety is an option, but we still need your feedback during placement.
Using it at home
We show you how to use the remote and care for the bandage. Follow your treatment schedule and limits on movement near the lead. You may need help with dressing changes. Do not soak the area in a bath or pool. Follow the device steps for showering, and turn stimulation off when driving.
Follow-up and removal
Track changes in sleep, walking, and daily tasks, not just your pain score. Relief may start early or build over several weeks. We arrange lead removal at the end of treatment and review what comes next. Some people have relief after removal; results and how long they last vary.
A plan made with you
Before you choose treatment, your clinician will explain the likely benefits, risks, other options, and home care. Ask questions and tell us about concerns. Your own instructions take the place of general website advice.
Common questions
Can I have an MRI during treatment?
No MRI can be done while the SPRINT system is in place. Contact our team before a scan is scheduled. After removal, the imaging team must still check your exact device history and any remaining lead material.
Will it cure my pain?
That cannot be promised. The goal is better pain control and function. We review your response and other care options with you.
Will I need a permanent implant afterward?
Not as a planned part of SPRINT treatment. This course uses temporary leads. Any later treatment would be a separate decision.
Sources behind this guide
Learn more from these professional and manufacturer resources. Your care plan and written instructions are specific to you.