Cryoanalgesia
Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley, S.C. • APPLETON OFFICE 820 East Grant Street Suite 335 Appleton, WI 54911 920-733-7230 or 877-733-7230 920-733-7231 (fax) • NEENAH OFFICE 100 Medical Office Plaza Suite A252 Neenah, WI 54956 (920)733-7230 (920)729-0347 (fax) OUR MEDICAL STAFF A.E. Yakovlev M.D. Arthur A. Padilla M.D. Beth Resch APNP Dia M. Welch MSN, APNP Email This Page		WHAT IS CRYOANALGESIA? Cryoanalgesia involves the technique of blocking peripheral nerve endings through freezing. With cryosurgical equipment, low temperatures are reached by the rapid flow of gas through a probe. HOW DOES CRYOANALGESIA ALLEVIATE MY PAIN? Pain control is achieved by destroying or blocking the nerve endings that are causing the patient’s pain. However, even though the nerve conduction is interrupted by the freezing process, the nerve cell remains intact. This allows the nerve to regenerate and regain its normal function over time. Many patients report pain relief for several months following this procedure. While some patients can report complete pain relief, this cannot be expected for all patients. In most patients, pain will be reduced to a more tolerable level. A local anesthetic is used in this procedure to numb the skin and underlying tissues. A catheter will then be inserted into this area. A cryoprobe is threaded through the catheter. Once the specific nerve area is identified, the freezing process will begin. This can take 2-3 minutes and may be repeated in order to cover your pain. POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS ACTIVITY: - Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure. - Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the rest of the day. - Normal activity can be resumed on the following day, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. - No heavy lifting for several days after the injection. DIET: - Resume your regular diet. - You may experience diarrhea or loose stools after this procedure. If so, drink ample fluids to prevent dehydration. PATIENT COMFORT: - Keep the injection site clean and dry. You may shower. - If you have a dressing, it can be removed the following day. You can then shower. - Take medication as prescribed by your doctor. - An ice pack can be applied to the injection site once the effect of the local anesthetic wears off. The ice pack should be applied for no more than 20 minutes at a time. SYMPTOMS TO REPORT: - Rash or itching - Increasing abdominal pain - Nausea - Change in bowel or bladder habits - You may experience increased pain for a few days following this procedure. This is due to the freezing effects on the nerve tissue and will go away quickly - Note any side effects such as headache, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or loss of bladder control. Such side effects are rare, and typically subside within 24 hours. - (Patients with Diabetes) You may experience a worsening of diabetic symptoms (excessive thirst, excessive urination, elevated blood sugars). Check your blood sugar twice a day for 2 weeks following the injections. Call your physician who is managing your diabetes if you experience any increase in symptoms. If you have any questions or concerns related to your treatment, please contact Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley S.C.

Cryoanalgesia

Comprehensive
Pain Management
of the Fox Valley, S.C.

• APPLETON OFFICE
820 East Grant Street
Suite 335
Appleton, WI 54911
920-733-7230 or
877-733-7230
920-733-7231 (fax)

• NEENAH OFFICE
100 Medical Office Plaza
Suite A252
Neenah, WI 54956
(920)733-7230
(920)729-0347 (fax)

OUR MEDICAL STAFF
A.E. Yakovlev M.D.
Arthur A. Padilla M.D.
Beth Resch APNP
Dia M. Welch MSN, APNP

Email This Page

WHAT IS CRYOANALGESIA?

Cryoanalgesia involves the technique of blocking peripheral nerve endings through freezing. With cryosurgical equipment, low temperatures are reached by the rapid flow of gas through a probe.

HOW DOES CRYOANALGESIA ALLEVIATE MY PAIN?

Pain control is achieved by destroying or blocking the nerve endings that are causing the patient’s pain. However, even though the nerve conduction is interrupted by the freezing process, the nerve cell remains intact. This allows the nerve to regenerate and regain its normal function over time.

Many patients report pain relief for several months following this procedure. While some patients can report complete pain relief, this cannot be expected for all patients. In most patients, pain will be reduced to a more tolerable level.

A local anesthetic is used in this procedure to numb the skin and underlying tissues. A catheter will then be inserted into this area. A cryoprobe is threaded through the catheter. Once the specific nerve area is identified, the freezing process will begin. This can take 2-3 minutes and may be repeated in order to cover your pain.

POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

ACTIVITY:

     - Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure.
     - Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for the rest of the day.
     - Normal activity can be resumed on the following day, unless otherwise instructed by
        your doctor.
     - No heavy lifting for several days after the injection.

DIET:

     - Resume your regular diet.
     - You may experience diarrhea or loose stools after this procedure. If so, drink ample
        fluids to prevent dehydration.

PATIENT COMFORT:

     - Keep the injection site clean and dry. You may shower.
     - If you have a dressing, it can be removed the following day. You can then shower.
     - Take medication as prescribed by your doctor.
     - An ice pack can be applied to the injection site once the effect of the local
        anesthetic wears off. The ice pack should be applied for no more than 20 minutes
        at a time.

SYMPTOMS TO REPORT:

     - Rash or itching
     - Increasing abdominal pain
     - Nausea
     - Change in bowel or bladder habits
     - You may experience increased pain for a few days following this procedure. This is
        due to the freezing effects on the nerve tissue and will go away quickly

     - Note any side effects such as headache, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs,
        or loss of bladder control. Such side effects are rare, and typically subside within
        24 hours.

     - (Patients with Diabetes) You may experience a worsening of diabetic symptoms
        (excessive thirst, excessive urination, elevated blood sugars). Check your blood
        sugar twice a day for 2 weeks following the injections. Call your physician who is
        managing your diabetes if you experience any increase in symptoms.

If you have any questions or concerns related to your treatment, please contact Comprehensive Pain Management of the Fox Valley S.C.