COVID-19 Update: We offer virtual telehealth and in-clinic appointments. Safety Procedures
  • Conditions
    Conditions We TreatChronic pain has many causes, and we have broad expertise in treating a wide range of conditions. Before beginning any treatment, however, we focus closely on identifying the precise nature of your pain. Pinpoint diagnosis provides the foundation to deliver maximum relief with minimum risk.View All
    • Back and Neck Pain
      • Back Pain Overview
      • Neck Pain Overview
      • Disc Degeneration
      • Disc Herniation
      • Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy)
      • Cervical and Thoracic Radiculopathy
      • Spinal Stenosis
      • Facet Joint Syndrome
      • Spondylolisthesis
      • Compression Fractures
    • Arm and Leg Pain
      • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD)
      • Peripheral Neuropathy
      • Diabetic Neuropathy
      • Joint Pain: Shoulder, Hip, Knee
      • Phantom Limb Pain
      • Piriformis Syndrome
      • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • General Body Pain
      • Chronic Abdominal Pain
      • Pelvic Pain
      • Postherpetic Neuralgia
      • Fibromyalgia
    • Head and Face Pain
      • Migraine Headache
      • Cervicogenic Headache (Whiplash Syndrome)
      • Trigeminal Neuralgia
    • Cancer Pain
    • Sports Injury
    • Work Related Injury
  • Treatments
    Treatment SolutionsNura combines pinpoint diagnosis with multi-point treatment to zero in on the source of chronic pain and attack it from every angle. Designed to provide real and lasting relief, precise pain management focuses your treatments exactly where they’re needed – dialing down your pain while dialing up your long-term health and well-being.View All
    • Interventional Procedures
      • Therapeutic
        • Epidural Steroid Injections
        • Epidural Lysis of Adhesions
        • Epidural Blood Patch
        • Sympathetic Nerve Blocks
        • Peripheral Nerve Blocks
        • Trigeminal Ganglion Block
        • Radiofrequency Ablation
        • Intradiscal Heat Therapies: IDET and Biacuplasty
        • Joint Injections
        • Trigger Point Injection
        • Minuteman Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion
    • Interventional Procedures
      • Diagnostic
        • Medial Branch Block
        • Selective Nerve Root Block
        • Discography
        • Electromyography (EMG)
      • Spinal Fracture Repair
        • Vertebroplasty
        • Kyphoplasty
    • Neuromodulation
      • Neurostimulation
        • Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
        • Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRG)
      • Targeted Drug Delivery
        • Spinal Pain Pump
        • Home Infusion Service
    • Medication Management
    • Physical Therapy
    • Behavioral Health
    • Occupational Health
    • Chronic Pain Program
  • About Nura
    • Why Nura
    • Our Team
    • News
    • Patient Stories
    • Reviews
    • Events
    • Careers at Nura
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Update
    • FAQ
    • Send Medical Records
    • Insurance & Billing
    • Prepare for an Appointment
    • Videos
  • Research
  • Locations
  • Call Today! 763.537.6000
  • I Want To
    • Contact Us
    • Pay My Bill
    • Request an Appointment
    • Send Medical Records
    • Refer a Patient
    • Prepare for an Appointment
    • Submit Feedback
Nura Clinics
Nura Clinics
  • Request Appointment
  • Patient Portal
  • Overview
  • Refer a Patient
  • 763.537.6000
  • I Want To
    • Contact Us
    • Patient Portal
    • Pay My Bill
    • Request an Appointment
    • Send Medical Records
    • Refer a Patient
    • Prepare for an Appointment
    • Submit Feedback
  • Conditions
    • Back and Neck Pain
    • Arm and Leg Pain
    • Head and Face Pain
    • General Body Pain
    • Cancer Pain
    • Sports Injury
    • Work Related Injury
  • Treatments
    • Interventional Procedures
    • Neuromodulation
    • Medication Management
    • Physical Therapy
    • Behavioral Health
    • Occupational Health
    • Chronic Care Management
    • Chronic Pain Program
  • Medical Professionals
  • About Nura
    • Why Nura
    • Our Team
    • News
    • Patient Stories
    • Reviews
    • Events
    • Careers at Nura
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Update
    • FAQ
    • Send Medical Records
    • Insurance & Billing
    • Prepare for an Appointment
    • Videos
  • Research
  • Locations
  • Contact

Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRG)

At Nura, we have been implanting SCS devices since 1990, and have helped countless chronic patients manage severe neuropathic pain.  However, spinal cord stimulation does not work for everyone, and in 2016, Dr. David Schultz became one of the first doctors in the U.S. to be trained on the new dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator technology.

We began to use DRG stimulation for some of the most challenging cases of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a condition that causes severe pain and hypersensitivity in an extremity. Traditional spinal cord stimulation does not always provide adequate relief in CRPS and a DRG stimulator is much more specific for the affected body part.  Our very first DRG stimulator patient reported immediate, almost miraculous improvement in her neuropathic leg pain. And after more than 100 subsequent procedures, this type of experience has been replicated again and again.  Today, we trial dorsal root ganglion stimulator systems as a first-line therapy for neuropathic pain conditions that affect a specific body part such as a hip, knee, foot, groin, or rib.

Learn about DRG stimulator technology and hear directly from patients in this video.

When Dorsal Root Ganglion therapy should be considered

The DRG stimulator is well-suited for specific neuropathic conditions, which include CRPS, pelvic pain, groin neuralgia, extremity pain and other nerve pain involving isolated parts of the body.

Paresthesia-free SCS and DRG stimulators are new advances in neurostimulation and offer a non-destructive, reversible alternative to treat difficult nerve problems that fail to respond to more conservative care.  Neurostimulation is far less invasive than traditional back surgery and is moving from a therapy of last resort to a therapy that may prevent the need for more aggressive treatments like surgery or nerve destruction.

This video shows the DRG stimulator procedure.

DRG Stimulator Trial

The implantation process for the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulator is very similar to the implantation of a typical SCS.  Like the typical SCS, the implantation of a DRG stimulator begins with a trial.

A trial typically lasts 5 to 7 days. This procedure will be done at our ambulatory surgery center under light sedation.

The trial stimulator leads are temporarily implanted percutaneously (through the skin) using an epidural needle placed into the epidural space (the area surrounding the spinal cord). Once the leads are positioned within the epidural space, your physician will then stimulate the dorsal root ganglion, instead of the spinal cord.

The dorsal root ganglion is located at the side of the spine where the spinal nerve root exits to become a peripheral nerve. Your physician will know which DRG targets to stimulate based on the exact location of your pain. Once the leads are properly placed, they are then connected to a trial stimulator battery that is external.

During the trial, patients are able to control their device to alleviate pain. They can turn the device on and off as needed, they can turn the stimulation up or down for comfort, and there are multiple different programs they can use to help eliminate pain.

At the conclusion of the trial, the temporary leads will be removed and the patient and physician will determine if a permanent device should be implanted.

DRG Stimulator Implant

If you and your physician determine that the trial was successful, a permanent stimulator may be implanted.

For the permanent implantation, the procedure will be done at an ambulatory surgery center or hospital under conscious sedation directed by an anesthesiologist.

Two small incisions are made to complete the procedure. Permanent leads are implanted through the predetermined location in the epidural space.

Next, the leads are connected to the computer/battery unit called the internal pulse generator (IPG). Once the leads are connected, the IPG is implanted in the upper buttock region. The procedure takes around 30-40 minutes to complete.

When the procedure is finished, the IPG electrical pulses are programmed with an external control unit that the patient is able to use to control the system.

Patients are trained in how to use the control unit before leaving. Once again, the patient can use the control unit to turn the system on and off, adjust the stimulation level and switch between programs to alleviate their pain.

The patient is able to go home after the procedure when the programming is complete.

Back to Neurostimulation

Do you have questions?
We can help!

Call 763-537-6000 to schedule an appointment
or to speak with a pain management expert.
Call Now

Take the first step toward
a better life

Start today by requesting an appointment
through our secured online form.
Schedule Appointment Online

I WANT TO...

  • Contact Us
  • Pay My Bill
  • Request an Appointment
  • Send Medical Records
  • Refer a Patient
  • Prepare for an Appointment
  • Submit Feedback

Edina Clinic

7400 France Avenue South
Suite 100
Edina, MN 55435
Directions

Coon Rapids Clinic

2104 Northdale Boulevard NW
Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55433
Directions

Business Office

appointments, scheduling, preauthorization & billing

2104 Northdale Boulevard NW
Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55433
Directions
Careers

Business Fax: 763.537.6666

Medical Records Fax:
763.767.7149

Clinics & Business Office Hours

8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 4:30pm Friday
Closed Saturday - Sunday

Call Clinics or Business Office

763.537.6000
HIPAA Seal of Compliance Certificate
The contents of the Nura Website, such as text, graphics, videos, and other material contained on the Website ("Content") are provided to you for general information only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard, avoid or delay getting professional medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional because of something you have seen on this Website. Further, the sharing of this information for educational purposes does not constitute an endorsement of the product, method or author.
  • © 2023 Nura Clinics All Rights Reserved
  • Site Credits
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Good Faith Estimates
  • No Surprises Billing Act