Kenneth J. Eaddy, MDInterventional Pain Management
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Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation

A targeted form of neuromodulation that places leads at the dorsal root ganglion to treat focal, hard-to-reach nerve pain — with a trial before any permanent implant.

In short — DRG stimulation delivers mild electrical pulses to the dorsal root ganglion to relieve focal neuropathic pain such as CRPS or post-surgical nerve injury in a well-defined region. A short outpatient trial with temporary leads precedes a permanent implant, and most insurers cover it once conservative treatments have failed and the trial shows significant improvement.

What is DRG stimulation?

DRG stimulation is a targeted neuromodulation therapy that delivers mild electrical pulses directly to the dorsal root ganglion. By modulating signals in the nerve roots, it relieves focal neuropathic pain such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and post-surgical nerve injury.

Who is a candidate?

Candidates have chronic neuropathic pain in a well-defined region that persists despite medications, physical therapy and nerve blocks. DRG stimulation is particularly beneficial for CRPS or focal nerve injury after surgery.

How does it work?

Thin leads are positioned near the DRG of the affected nerve under X-ray guidance and connected to a small generator. Because the DRG maps to a precise region, stimulation can be focused on the painful area while sparing others — a key difference from spinal cord stimulation, which covers broader regions.

What happens during the trial?

During a short outpatient trial, temporary leads are placed near the dorsal root ganglia and connected to an external stimulator. If patients experience at least 50% pain relief over several days, a permanent implant with an internal generator is placed.

What is recovery like?

Patients return home the same day and resume light activity within a week. Heavy lifting and twisting should be avoided for several weeks while the leads scar in place.

What are the risks?

Risks of DRG stimulation include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Lead migration
  • Nerve injury
  • Allergic reaction
  • Inadequate pain relief

Does insurance cover it?

Many insurers cover DRG stimulation for CRPS and focal neuropathic pain once conservative treatments have failed and a successful trial documents significant improvement.

Reducing the risk of infection before your procedure

Because a device is implanted, Dr. Eaddy uses a skin-preparation protocol in the days before your procedure to lower the already-small risk of infection. Follow the exact instructions the office gives you — in general it involves:

  • Mupirocin antibiotic ointment — applied twice daily for the five days leading up to your procedure.
  • Hibiclens (chlorhexidine gluconate) antiseptic wash — used each day for the four days before your procedure, and once more on the morning of the procedure.

Because a stimulator trial leaves temporary leads passing through the skin, every stimulator trial also requires an oral antibiotic taken for the entire length of the trial.

This reflects published evidence that decolonizing the skin and nose with mupirocin and chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) lowers the rate of surgical-site infection, along with neuromodulation-specific guidance from the Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC). See preparing for an interventional pain procedure for the rest of your pre-procedure checklist.

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Medically reviewed by Kenneth J. Eaddy, MD · Last reviewed: July 5, 2026