Cryotherapy in Pain Management
Medical Author:
William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP,
FACR
Medical Contributing Author:
Standiford Helm, II, MD
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD
What is cryotherapy and how does it work?
Cryotherapy is a pain treatment that uses a method of localized freezing
temperatures to deaden an irritated nerve. Cryotherapy is
also used as a method of treating localized areas of some cancers (called
cryosurgery), such as prostate cancer and to treat abnormal skin cells by dermatologists. In this
article we only discuss its use in nerve conditions.
In cryotherapy, a probe is inserted into
the tissue next to the affected nerve. The temperature of the probe drops to then effectively freeze the nerve.
The freezing inactivates the nerve and, as a result, painful nerve irritation is
relieved. Cryotherapy is a relatively safe and effective means of treating
localized nerve irritation.
What conditions can be treated with cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy can be used to treat conditions that involve irritation of an
isolated nerve. In general, such conditions include benign nerve growths
(neuromas) and pinched nerves (nerve entrapments). Specific examples include
nerve irritation between the ribs (intercostal
neuralgia), cluneal
nerve entrapment, ilioinguinal neuroma, hypogastric neuromas, lateral femoral
cutaneous nerve entrapment, and interdigital neuromas. Many forms of nerve
entrapment can often be treated with cryotherapy.
What are side effects of cryotherapy?
While cryotherapy can reduce unwanted nerve irritation, it sometimes can
leave the tissue affected with unusual sensations, such as numbness or tingling,
or with redness and irritation of the skin. These effects are generally
temporary.
Where is cryotherapy performed?
Cryotherapy procedures are usually performed in the doctor's office.
Last Editorial Review: 4/29/2009
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