Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides DRG Stimulation?
A pain specialist, a doctor who treats long-lasting pain, provides DRG stimulation. So does a neurosurgeon, a surgeon who treats the nervous system. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
DRG stands for dorsal root ganglion. The DRG holds the cell bodies of sensory nerve cells. It takes an active part in how some forms of chronic pain develop. DRG stimulation is a treatment that stimulates this area to ease chronic pain. It lets doctors focus the stimulation on specific painful areas. In the United States, the FDA approved it in 2015 for long-lasting, hard-to-treat pain of the lower limbs linked to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) types I and II.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Doctors use DRG stimulation for nerve pain that stays in one area. Doctors have the most experience with pain after surgery in the groin, knee, or foot. The proof is still limited but growing. More studies are needed to confirm the results. For severe CRPS type I, first-line treatments often fail in the long term. These include medicines and rehab therapy. For chronic pain in general, non-surgical treatments should be used first. Physical therapy is often a first line treatment.
How to prepare
Your care team first looks for the cause and location of your pain. This starts with a history of the pain and a physical exam.
- Lab tests and imaging may also be used.
- Non-surgical treatments are tried first.
- For a spinal cord stimulator, you may have mental health testing and counseling so you understand how an implanted device will be managed.
What happens during it
The steps below describe spinal cord stimulators, another implanted treatment for chronic pain. A trial comes first. One or two wires go into the space outside the spinal cord and are controlled by a unit outside your body. The trial usually lasts about a week. A trial is a success if it removes half of your pain. After a successful trial, surgery places a permanent spinal cord stimulator. The surgeon makes a small cut in the back and another near the waist. The wire runs under the skin to a small battery-powered generator. You control a spinal cord stimulator with a small hand-held remote.
Recovery
After spinal cord stimulator surgery, the surgeon usually sees you within a month to check that the cuts are healing. Some of these batteries must be recharged every few days. Batteries that cannot be recharged usually need replacing about every 3 to 5 years. No more surgery is needed until the battery needs to be replaced.
Risks and side effects
The most reported problems were infection and pain where the generator sits. A wire can also break or move out of place. Rare problems are unlikely to show up in early studies. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting or loss of consciousness, or bleeding that will not stop.
Who performs it
For spinal cord stimulators, surgery places the permanent stimulator. A pain specialist or a device company representative usually adjusts it.
Common questions
What is DRG stimulation used for?
It is used for long-lasting nerve pain in one area, such as CRPS or pain that continues after surgery. It is also used for phantom limb pain and for lasting pain after a joint replacement.
How is DRG stimulation different from spinal cord stimulation?
DRG stimulation can be aimed at one painful area. Regular spinal cord stimulation works well for broad areas of pain. For CRPS, a study showed DRG stimulation to be better than regular spinal cord stimulation.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A primary care provider is the best option to first evaluate ongoing pain. If pain lasts more than 6 months, you may need a referral to a pain specialist.
Sources
- National Library of Medicine (PubMed Central) - Neuromodulation of the Dorsal Root Ganglion for Chronic Postsurgical Pain
- National Library of Medicine (PubMed Central) - Effectiveness and Safety of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Pooled Analysis
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons - Spinal Cord Stimulation
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
