Veteran’s Pain Vanishes with New Temporary Device

Memphis, Tenn. (Nov. 5, 2020) – After 11 years of living in pain every second of every minute of every day, 35-year-old Iraqi War veteran Kurt Gray has finally found pain relief at Mays & Schnapp Neurospine and Pain. Pain relief came from the only temporary PNS (peripheral nerve stimulator) system that is FDA approved for both chronic and acute pain.

“I noticed an improvement immediately,” said Gray. “I didn’t have the extreme pain I always felt.”

Mays & Schnapp is the second independent site in the country and joins leading medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic area to offer the SPRINT® PNS system. Mays & Schnapp is also the only medical practice in the greater Memphis metropolitan area to provide this new technology.

Cody Scarbrough, MD, and Ryan McGaughey, MD, both interventional pain specialists with Mays & Schnapp, are excited to bring this new technology to patients living in and around Memphis.

“We continually look for new advancements that will help us provide effective pain relief for our patients,” said Dr. Scarbrough, “This device has the potential to help a lot of people.”

“The Sprint PNS is a safe pain management therapy consisting of a temporary device that can result in reduced pain and long-term pain relief,” said Dr. McGaughey.

The Sprint PNS system consists of a lead wire the size of a hair that is minimally invasively inserted through a needle near a peripheral nerve that is signaling pain. It is connected to a small external generator, smaller than the size of a credit card, that is worn on the skin. The generator sends tiny electrical pulses that feel like a tingling, vibrating massage to disrupt the pain signal. After 60 days the lead wire is removed along with the generator and patients typically experience continued pain relief.

“The ability to extend the sensation of pain relief after a device is removed is really breakthrough technology and great for our patients,” explained Dr. Scarbrough. “Patients continue to feel the benefit of less pain and even no pain at all, which allows them to participate in the activities they enjoy. This technology can have a huge impact on their quality of life.”

Gray injured his ankle during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Bagdad. He was on a routine patrol when an IED (improvised explosive device) exploded, destroying his left ankle, leaving him with severe nerve and tissue damage, and now arthritis. Fourteen surgeries later, with bolts and screws holding his ankle together the pain persisted, until now, thanks to Mays & Schnapp.

“It was amazing to have zero pain with this new device,” said an excited Gray. “And I can walk a lot better.”

Without this new technology, there was a good chance Gray would have had to have his ankle and foot amputated. Gray has been coming to Mays & Schnapp for about two years. Several alternative treatments had been tried to reduce Gray’s pain, but none proved effective. Fortunately, Mays & Schnapp was selected by SPRINT as a site to offer this new technology. The selection process depends heavily on the expertise of the site’s medical team. Being able to offer this new temporary PNS system gave Gray a previously unavailable option.

“I’m very glad I had another option other than amputation,” said Gray.

After 60 days the SPRINT leads were removed and Gray’s once chronic, never-ending pain has disappeared. No pain for Gray means new hope for his future. He is reducing his pain medications and hopes to be entirely medication free. He received an honorable discharge from the Army due to his injury, but at 35, he has his whole life ahead of him and is looking forward to getting back in the workforce. Most importantly, he can now play with his four kids, including throwing around the football.

Gray wants to spread the word that there is help for people who suffer from constant pain. “I want people who have nerve damage to know that this can work,” he said. “Even if you get 50% pain relief, it’s worth it to have less pain.”

Patients who can benefit from this new technology include those who are experiencing inoperable shoulder pain, knee joint pain, chronic low back pain, complex regional pain syndrome, post-operative pain following joint replacement and surgical reconstruction and post amputation.

Dr. McGaughey says, “Our goal every day is to provide pain relief from chronic pain. It makes my day that for the first time in years Kurt has found relief for his pain and we have improved his ability to move and enjoy life.”

To learn more, visit maysandschnapp.com.

Moacir Schnapp, MD, is the medical director for Mays & Schnapp Pain Clinic and Rehabilitation Center. Pain Clinic Associates, PLLC, is a licensed pain management clinic. License #PMC0000000690.