mPNS for Post-Traumatic Pain
mPNS (Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation) for Post-Traumatic Pain
Post-traumatic pain is chronic or persistent pain that follows an injury, surgery, crush/compression, nerve laceration, or other traumatic event. mPNS is a non-invasive neuromodulation therapy that uses focused magnetic pulses to modulate peripheral nerve signaling and reduce pain as part of a multi-modal management plan.
What is post-traumatic pain and how it develops
Persistent pain directly related to prior tissue or nerve injury, which may include neuropathic features (burning, shooting pain) and nociceptive components (aching, mechanical pain).
Mechanisms: peripheral nerve damage or sensitization, maladaptive central sensitization, persistent inflammation, scar entrapment, neuroma formation, and altered motor control all contribute to ongoing pain.
Common symptoms
- Burning, electric-shock, or shooting pain at or radiating from the injury site
- Tingling, numbness, or increased sensitivity (allodynia/hyperalgesia)
- Persistent aching, stiffness, or mechanical pain with movement
- Muscle weakness, cramps, or functional limitation near the injured area
- Sleep disturbance, mood changes, and activity avoidance due to pain
How post-traumatic pain affects daily life
Limits return to work, sports, and daily tasks (lifting, gripping, walking, dressing)
Decreases mobility and independence; increases fall/injury risk when sensation is impaired
Causes sleep disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, and reduced quality of life
Raises risk of long-term disability, social isolation, and increased healthcare use
Statistics and prevalence
Prevalence varies by injury type, setting, and criteria; many studies report substantial rates of chronic pain after trauma, surgery, or nerve injury.
Examples:
- Chronic pain and PTSD commonly co-occur; some patient groups (e.g., veterans) show high chronic pain and post-traumatic stress overlap.[1]
- Specific post-traumatic neuropathic pain conditions (e.g., post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain) show variable prevalence across studies (reported ranges commonly low-teens percent depending on cohort).[2]
Common treatment options
Foundational care
Multimodal rehabilitation: graded physical therapy, occupational therapy, ergonomic modification, and progressive functional training
Optimization of sleep, mood, and activity pacing; pain psychology or CBT for pain coping
Pharmacologic therapies
Neuropathic agents (duloxetine, gabapentin/pregabalin, tricyclic antidepressants), topical agents (lidocaine, capsaicin) and judicious NSAIDs/analgesics as indicated
Interventional and procedural options
Local anesthetic/nerve blocks, steroid injections, neuroma treatments, radiofrequency ablation, or minimally invasive decompression for entrapment/scar-related pain
Surgical revision or neuroma management when structural lesion is identified and conservative care fails
Advanced neuromodulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation (implantable) or non-invasive neuromodulation (including mPNS) as adjuncts for refractory cases
Multidisciplinary coordination is recommended for complex post-traumatic pain.
What is mPNS and how it works
mPNS delivers focused magnetic pulses over affected peripheral nerves or nerve branches to alter nerve excitability and interrupt maladaptive pain signaling. It aims to reduce peripheral sensitization and downstream central amplification without implantation or systemic drugs.
Potential benefits of mPNS for post-traumatic pain
Targeted reduction in neuropathic and incisional/entrapment pain symptoms (burning, shooting, allodynia)
Improved local function and tolerance for rehabilitation by lowering pain during activity
Low systemic side-effect profile compared with long-term pharmacotherapy
Non-invasive, outpatient therapy that can be combined with pharmacologic, physical, and psychological treatments
Typical course and expectations
- Clinical assessment to confirm pain mechanisms and screen for contraindications (e.g., incompatible implanted electronic devices).
- Series of brief outpatient sessions (protocols vary); many patients report gradual symptom reduction over days–weeks.
- Best outcomes when mPNS is integrated into an individualized, multidisciplinary plan. Side effects are uncommon and generally mild (temporary local discomfort or transient paresthesia).
Who may be a candidate
Patients with persistent post-traumatic or post-surgical pain with neuropathic features who have incomplete relief from conservative measures or who prefer non-invasive adjuncts.
Proper candidate selection requires clinician evaluation.
Schedule an evaluation
Talk with your pain specialist to determine if mPNS is appropriate for your post-traumatic pain and then schedule an appointment with us to design an individualized treatment plan.
