Cryoanalgesia, is a specialized technique for providing long-term pain relief in interventional pain management settings. Cryoanalgesia bases on temporary disruption of neural and motor functions of some parts of the nerve system using extreme cold. Cryolesion is gaining acceptance as an innovative method in pain relief. It bases on the process of analgesia, during which ice crystals created by a cryosurgery device destroys the elements of the nerve tissue carrying pain information. Cryoablation does not damage nerve structures permanently that is why nerve tissues can regenerate slowly with no risk of post-procedural neuritis. The method is safe and minimally invasive, recommended especially when conservative means proved to be ineffecive.
Indications for cryoanalgesia:
- Acute postoperative pain from thoracotomy
- Facial pain syndromes (supra-infra orbital,occipital,mental)
- Suprascapular, Ilio-inguinal and other specific neuralgias
- Facet syndrome – cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral
- Coccydynia
- Perineal neuropathies
- Phantom Limb
- Trigger points
- Painful neuromas
- Tennis elbow syndrome and golfer’s elbow syndrome
- Painful shoulder syndrome
Advantages of cryoanalgesia:
- Microinvasive procedure, reversible effect
- High efficiency: pain reduction for 6 months to 2 years
- Simple diagnostics: fluoroscopy or echography
- Subcutaneous procedure, microinvasive under local anesthesia
- Fast return to normal activities – no hospitalization
- Can be repeated
- Low cost
- Whole range of reusable contact probes of various shapes and sizes
- Painless
- Small incisions, usually leave only few little scars instead of one larger scar
- Less tissue dissection
- Less damage to surrounding muscles
- Minimal blood loss and fast healing.