A highly targeted neuromodulation therapy that delivers precise electrical stimulation to a specific nerve cluster at the spinal level responsible for your pain — providing focused relief for CRPS, post-surgical nerve pain, and focal pain in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis.
Candidacy
Who This May Help
DRG stimulation may be an option if you have focal neuropathic pain that follows the distribution of a specific spinal nerve level — such as pain in the foot or ankle, knee, hip, groin, or pelvis. It is particularly well-suited for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), post-surgical nerve pain, phantom limb pain, and chronic pelvic pain including pain associated with endometriosis. Because the therapy targets a specific level of the nervous system rather than a broad area, it is often effective for conditions where spinal cord stimulation provides inconsistent or incomplete coverage.
A consultation with our clinical team will determine whether you are a candidate.
Procedure Overview
How DRG Stimulation Works
The dorsal root ganglion is a small cluster of sensory nerve cell bodies located just outside the spinal canal at each vertebral level. Each DRG acts as a relay station for pain signals traveling from a specific part of the body toward the brain. By placing a small lead at the DRG corresponding to the painful region and delivering gentle electrical stimulation, the therapy modulates pain signals at a precise point in the nervous system — before they reach the spinal cord and brain.
A trial period is performed before any permanent implant — temporary leads are placed and connected to an external device for several days to allow real-world evaluation of the therapy. If the trial produces meaningful relief, the permanent implant is performed as a same-day outpatient procedure. Patients go home the same day.
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Recovery & Results
What to Expect After the Procedure
Following permanent implant, most patients resume light daily activities within a few days. Activity restrictions — limiting bending, twisting, and heavy lifting — are recommended for two to four weeks while the leads stabilize in position. Stimulation settings are programmed by our clinical team and can be adjusted at follow-up visits to optimize results.
Many patients notice meaningful improvement in their focal pain during the trial period itself. After permanent implant, relief tends to build gradually over the first several weeks. Regular follow-up visits are an important part of long-term care with any implanted neuromodulation system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) is a neuromodulation therapy that targets the dorsal root ganglion — a cluster of sensory nerve cell bodies located just outside the spinal canal at each vertebral level. By stimulating the DRG directly, the therapy can modulate pain signals from a very specific area of the body with greater precision than traditional spinal cord stimulation. A trial period allows patients to evaluate results before any permanent commitment.
Spinal cord stimulation delivers electrical signals to the spinal cord itself to modulate pain across broader regions of the body. DRG stimulation targets the dorsal root ganglion at a specific spinal level — allowing it to focus relief on a much more precise area, such as the foot, ankle, knee, hip, or a specific region of the pelvis. This makes DRG particularly valuable for focal pain conditions where traditional SCS may produce inconsistent coverage.
DRG stimulation is FDA-approved for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and causalgia, and is particularly effective for focal neuropathic pain in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, groin, and pelvis. It is also used for post-surgical nerve pain, phantom limb pain, and chronic pelvic pain including pain related to endometriosis. Its precision makes it especially useful for conditions that are difficult to cover adequately with spinal cord stimulation.
Yes. A trial period is performed before any permanent implant. Temporary leads are placed at the dorsal root ganglion level corresponding to the painful area and connected to an external device the patient uses at home for several days. If the trial produces meaningful relief, the permanent implant procedure is then performed as a same-day outpatient procedure.
DRG stimulation is FDA-approved for CRPS and causalgia, and is covered by Medicare and many major commercial insurance plans for appropriately selected patients. Coverage for other indications may vary. Our team will review your clinical history and insurance coverage at your consultation.
Following permanent implant, most patients resume light daily activities within a few days. Activity restrictions — including limiting bending, twisting, and heavy lifting — are recommended for two to four weeks while the leads stabilize. Stimulation settings are programmed and adjusted by our clinical team at follow-up visits. Many patients notice continued improvement over the first several weeks following implant.
Schedule a Consultation
A consultation is the right starting point. Our clinical team will evaluate your pain distribution and history to determine whether DRG stimulation is an appropriate option.
