Percutaneous cryoanalgesia in pain management: a case-series

Abstract

Background: Cryoanalgesia, also known as cryoneuroablation or cryoneurolysis, is a specialized technique for providing long-term pain relief.

Method: We present here retrospective data on pain relief and changes in function after cryoanalgesia techniques: we describe the effect of this procedure on articular facet syndromes, sacroiliac pain and knee pain.

Results: We reviewed the records of 18 patients with articular lumbar facet pain, knee pain and sacroiliac pain. The Visual Analog Scale and Patient's Global Impression of Change scale show satisfaction at 1 month after cryoablation, with the best scores after three months. Only three patients showed a worse condition than the first month.

Conclusion: The majority of patients experienced a clinically relevant degree of pain relief and improved function following percutaneous cryoanalgesia.

Keywords: cryoanalgesia; cryoneuroablaton; cryoneurolysis; pain.