Success Rates

Peripheral nerve stimulation has been studied in multiple clinical trials and peer-reviewed publications. The evidence consistently demonstrates significant pain reduction in patients with chronic pain who have not responded adequately to conservative treatments.

Meaningful relief is often defined as at least a 50% reduction in pain scores. In a 2026 summary of 24-month outcomes from the COMFORT randomized trial of implantable PNS, 85% of participants in the analyzed subset (n=39) met at least that threshold, and mean pain scores improved by 67% from baseline — in the studied population, not a guarantee for any one person. Source: Practical Neurology, https://practicalneurology.com/news/implantable-peripheral-nerve-stimulation-shows-durable-pain-relief-at-24-months/2485516/ — primary publication: Engle MP et al., https://doi.org/10.29011/2576-957X.100079

Success in PNS is measured across several dimensions: pain reduction (using standardized pain scales), functional improvement (ability to perform daily activities), medication reduction, and patient satisfaction.

Pain relief alone doesn't tell the full story. Many patients report improvements in sleep quality, mood, activity levels, and overall quality of life — benefits that compound over time as chronic pain patterns are disrupted.

Implantable PNS is built for continued use when it helps, and published trial follow-up now extends through 24 months for some systems. The COMFORT study analysis summarized in Practical Neurology (2026) reported sustained, clinically meaningful pain improvements at two years in the followed cohort, with the statistics cited above. Source: https://practicalneurology.com/news/implantable-peripheral-nerve-stimulation-shows-durable-pain-relief-at-24-months/2485516/

Because PNS modulates nerve signaling rather than delivering a drug that wears off, its durability profile is different from many injections or short medication courses — though individual responses still vary.

Patients who tend to see the strongest outcomes are those with chronic joint pain and preserved joint anatomy — meaning the joint structure itself hasn't fully deteriorated. Patients who have tried conservative treatments without lasting relief but aren't yet at the point of needing replacement are the core population.

Your physician will evaluate your specific situation to set realistic expectations. Not every patient responds identically, and honest assessment of likely outcomes is a core part of the ARC approach.

Beyond effectiveness, PNS carries a favorable safety profile. Serious adverse events are rare. The most common side effects are mild and temporary — localized soreness at the insertion site being the most frequently reported. The reversibility of PNS means that even in cases where relief is insufficient, the patient retains all future treatment options.