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 joint pain who have not responded adequately to conservative treatments.

In clinical studies, a substantial majority of PNS patients report meaningful pain relief — typically defined as a 50% or greater reduction in pain scores. Many patients exceed this threshold significantly.

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.

One of the most compelling aspects of PNS is the durability of relief. Studies have demonstrated sustained benefits lasting well beyond the initial treatment period, with many patients maintaining significant pain reduction at 12-month and longer follow-ups.

Because PNS addresses pain at the nerve signaling level rather than masking symptoms, the mechanism of relief is fundamentally different from medication or injection-based approaches that tend to diminish over time.

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.