BACKGROUND: Cluneal neuralgia (CN) is an uncommon cause of low back pain that can be difficult to diagnose due to its nonspecific clinical features that often mimic other conditions. If left untreated, it can significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life. The following case reports the successful use of percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (pPNS) for the treatment of middle CN.

CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old man presented to our clinic for intractable low back pain that made it difficult for him to sit or lie down on his back. After failing multiple oral medications and procedural interventions, the patient underwent pPNS of the middle cluneal nerve. This reduced his pain significantly and allowed him to return to work as a rideshare driver.

CONCLUSIONS: For patients that fail conventional treatment, pPNS may be a viable alternative treatment for middle CN.

KEYWORDS: Cluneal neuralgia, middle cluneal nerve, neuromodulation, percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation