What is Cryoablation?

Cryoablation involves freezing a specific area’s nerve with a specialized needle, which cools the tissues to approximately -70 degrees Celsius in an area of about 6-8 mm at the tip.

In which diseases/conditions is the procedure used?

Cryoablation can be used in various diseases affecting nerves, known as neuralgias, such as:

  • Ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, genitofemoral, supraorbital neuralgia
  • Occipital nerve neuralgia
  • Infrapatellar saphenous nerve neuralgia
  • Pain following amputation and/or phantom pain

It can also be applied when we want to disable the innervation of a painful body part. For example, the small nerves of a joint can be selectively disabled while maintaining the limb’s full range of motion and sensation:

What can you expect after the treatment?

It is very effective with treating entrapments of peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerve entrapment is a problem that we are just now coming back to and realizing the importance of. Over the past 20 years, there’s been a focus on treatment of pain coming from the spine, such as the facets. With this focus, the problem of peripheral nerves is been overlooked. Lately, both because of a renewed look at peripheral nerves and because of a renewed focus on cryoablation, the role in peripheral nerves in causing pain has become more apparent. Cryoablation is a quick simple procedure and you can drive home after it.

What are the advantages of cryoablation?

Cryoablation freezes a larger area than what can be treated with radiofrequency treatment, thus increasing its effectiveness. Furthermore, its effects develop more rapidly compared to radiofrequency treatment.

References:

1. Choi WJ, Hwang SJ, Song JG, Leem JG, Kang YU, Park PH, et al. Radiofrequency treatment relieves chronic knee osteoarthritis pain: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Pain [Internet]. 2011;152(3):481–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.09.029

2. Ajrawat P, Radomski L, Bhatia A, Peng P, Nath N, Gandhi R. Radiofrequency Procedures for the Treatment of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Pain Med. 2019;1–16.

3. Pushparaj H, Hoydonckx Y, Mittal N, Peng P, Cohen SP, Cao X, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of radiofrequency procedures on innervation to the shoulder joint for relieving chronic pain. Eur J Pain (United Kingdom). 2021;25(5):986–1011.

4. Bone ME, Armstrong A, Bashir I, Haynes J. Thermal Radiofrequency Denervation of the Suprascapular Nerve for Chronic Shoulder Pain. Shoulder Elb. 2013;5(4):226–30.

5. Stogicza AR, Peng P. Cryoanalgesia for shoulder pain: a motor-sparing approach to rotator cuff disease. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2022;47(9):576–80.