What is the Orthopedic Nerve Stimulation Center?
The Orthopedic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Center in Pensacola, FL, is directed by Dr. Erik Nilssen, a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon, and is focused on eliminating nerve pain through non-opioid treatment that may lead to surgery or residual pain after surgery.
What is the ONSTIM treatment?
ONSTIM, or Orthopedic Nerve Stimulation, is a new approach to peripheral nerve stimulation. Our ONSTIM Orthopedic Nerve Stimulation Centers offer a drug-free, minimally-invasive procedure that is performed at a same-day surgery center.
How does ONSTIM work?
The ONSTIM Treatment is a peripheral nerve stimulation device that is composed of two parts: an implantable lead (receiver), and a wearable device that sends signals to the lead (transmitter) to disrupt pain signals and give you instant relief. The implantable lead gets much closer to the peripheral nerves that are the “senders” of the pain signals.
Is the ONSTIM treatment a surgery?
The ONSTIM Treatment is minimally-invasive and done in an outpatient center. No hospital stay is required.
Is ONSTIM covered by my insurance?
Your insurance likely covers this procedure. If your carrier does not, we can arrange financing.
What are the steps involved in the ONSTIM Treatment?
We will determine if you are a candidate for the ONSTIM Treatment during a no-cost consult. If you are candidate, we give you a simple injection at the pain site to determine how much pain the ONSTIM Treatment will eliminate. If the injection lessens your pain by 50%, we then schedule your Trial Implant and a Healthcare Holiday to let you experience life without pain. Next, there is required waiting period if your insuror requires it and validation for permanent implantation. Finally, we schedule the Permanent Implant at our outpatient surgery center.
Visit the ONSTIM Treatment page to learn more about the stages of the treatment.
How do I know if I am a candidate for the treatment?
The ideal candidate for the ONSTIM treatment is someone who has been experiencing chronic pain for an extended period, typically over a year. This treatment is particularly suitable for patients who have not found relief through various non-operative treatments, such as physical therapy, bracing, or anti-inflammatories.
What is a Healthcare Holiday?
After the trial implant procedure, we asked that you remain in the Pensacola Beach area for 5-7 days and try out your new pain-free life on our beaches and area attractions. Visit our Healthcare Holiday page to learn more about the Pensacola Beach area and how you can enjoy your time.
Does the ONSTIM Treatment leave a scar?
After the treatment, you will have a small little incision on your skin.
How does the ONSTIM Transmitter and Receiver work together?
The Transmitter Assembly is a small device that you wear externally on your body, close to the source of your pain. The Transmitter Assembly consists of a transmitter and an antenna, that wirelessly broadcasts energy to your receiver. The Receiver is an implanted device with electrodes near the tip. This device is precisely implanted near your pain source by Dr. Nilssen and receives transmitted energy from the Transmitter Assembly. This radiofrequency (RF) energy is sent to your nerves and blocks the pain signals from reaching your brain and causing you to feel pain.
Who makes the ONSTIM Transmitter and Receiver?
The Freedom® Peripheral Nerve Stimulator System is manufactured by Curonix. Dr. Nilssen and the team at ONSTIM are not only users of the Curonix Freedom Peripheral Nerve Stimulator, but are also key opinion leaders and help develop the technology. Dr. Nilssen regularly lectures to surgeons and doctors interested in using the Freedom PNS, and teaches courses on how to implant the device.
Is the ONSTIM Treatment approved for my elbow pain?
The ONSTIM Treatment is a permanent fix for chronic pain of all major joints, and may eliminate the need for joint replacement or fusion surgery.
