CRYONEUROLYSIS

Cryoneurolysis is a treatment that provides long-term pain relief by applying cold (-20° to -88°C) to the nerves. In this procedure, cold is applied to the affected nerve for 2-3 minutes ad several times.

The pain-relieving effect of cold is well documented and has been used for many decades. As far back as the time of Hippocrates (460-377 BC), cold packs were used for pain relief, as can be seen from the earliest written documents.

In cryoneurolysis, the cold is aimed at a specific nerve that causes pain, which is most often a sensory nerve. When the nerve is exposed to extreme cold, its ability to send pain signals temporarily ceases. After a few days, the nerve begins to regenerate at a rate of about 1-3 millimeters a day.

In some cases, the pain does not return, even after the nerve is restored. If the pain returns, cryoneurolysis can be performed again. In other cases, the pain will disappear permanently.

INITIAL CONSULTATION AND PRE-EXAMINATION

After an in-depth telephone or e-mail consultation, we can assess whether it is possible to treat your condition and relieve your pain with cryoneurolysis.

In order to be able to help you as best as possible, it is important that you give us a thorough description of your disorder and your pain situation, as well as how it affects you and your daily life. If you take medicine, it is also important that you inform us about all medicines you use and what they are for, including all pain medicine.

Once we have received and reviewed your information, we will arrange a time for a preliminary examination.

During the preliminary examination, we use ultrasound to locate the relevant nerves and use a so-called diagnostic block with local anesthesia. This means that we briefly anesthetize the nerves involved in order to assess the potential effect of the treatment. The local anesthetic only works for a few hours.

After this, we can plan the further course of treatment.

In connection with the cryoneurolysis treatment itself, local anesthesia is given, so the treatment is painless.

• Trigeminal neuralgia: Facial pain related to the trigeminal nerve.
• Supra/infraorbital neuralgia: Facial pain above and below the eye sockets.
• Occipital neuralgia: Pain in the neck and back of the head, often associated with migraines and whiplash injuries.
• Mandibular and mental neuralgia: Pain in the teeth, mouth, and jaw.
• Post-thoracotomy pain: Pain after surgeries in the chest area.
• Pain after herpes zoster (shingles): Postherpetic neuralgic pain.
• Pain after rib fractures: Acute and chronic pain in the ribs.
• Frozen shoulder / Postoperative pain management after shoulder surgery: Treatment of pain and stiffness in the shoulder.
• Pain in the hand and forearm: Including pain from osteoarthritis.
• Pain in the groin after hernia surgery or other abdominal procedures: Treatment of postoperative pain in the groin.
• Genitofemoral neuralgia: Pain in the groin and lower abdomen, including interstitial cystitis.
• Pudendal neuralgia: Pain in and around the clitoris, vagina, penis and anus.
• Lower back pain: Pain both after and without surgical intervention.
• Neuromas after surgery: Treatment of pain caused by nerve growth after surgery.
• Morton’s neuroma: Pain in the foot between the toes.
• Plantar fasciitis (heel spur): Pain in the heel caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia.
• Facet joint pain: Lower back pain related to the facet joints.
• Meralgia paresthetica: Pain and tingling in the thigh.
• Somatic pain involving sensory nerves: Including gout and arthritis (osteoarthritis).
• CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) Type 1 and Type 2: Complex pain syndromes with both acute and chronic symptoms.
• Chronic / Postoperative hip pain: Long-term pain after hip surgeries.
• Chronic / Postoperative knee pain: Long-term pain after knee surgeries.
• Chronic / Postoperative foot pain: Long-term pain after foot surgeries.
• Chronic / Postoperative arm and hand pain: Long-term pain after surgeries in the arm and hand.
• Phantom pain / Stump pain: Pain after amputation.

Before the treatment, all patients receive detailed instructions about the cryoneurolysis treatment, including information about possible complications and side effects

Cryoneurolysis is an invasive treatment, which can cause complications and side effects, but there have been no reports of serious side effects or lasting nerve damage after the treatment worldwide.

Possible Complications:
Cryoneurolysis is a small and almost painless invasive treatment. When a needle is inserted through the skin, minor complications can occur, including:
Bleeding at the insertion site: Bleeding may occur, but it is stopped in connection with the treatment.

Discoloration of the skin:
Temporary discoloration of the skin at the treated site may occur. This is temporary and does not require further treatment, as the discoloration will disappear after a few weeks.

Redness:
Redness around the injection site may occur, but it disappears after a couple of days and can possibly be reduced more quickly by using cold compresses.

Infection:
In rare cases, infection may occur at the injection site. If this happens, the patient will be referred for treatment with antibiotics.

Known Side Effects:
The only known side effect of cryoneurolysis treatment is temporary numbness in the treated area. This numbness cannot be treated, but disappears on its own within a few weeks or, in rare cases, over some months.