Cryoanalgesia

Knee pain due to arthritis. Note that this is a pain-relieving treatment. It does not treat the arthritis itself. It offers pain relief without the need for opioid or other painkillers. It can be useful in those patients who cannot tolerate or do not want to take strong painkilling medication. It is also useful in those rare patients who cannot, for medical fitness reasons, have knee replacement surgery or those who do not want to have a knee replacement and who want pain relief without medications.

It can also be used to help with post knee replacement surgery pain control.

It works by targeting specific small nerves that carry pain signals. These nerves are not needed for Local anaesthetic is given before the treatment to make it comfortable. Precise cold treatment is then applied to these nerves with a special hand piece. The treatment prevents the nerve from transmitting pain signals by causing thermal temporary damage to the nerve. The effect lasts until the nerve regenerates back to normal. The treatment is not painful but odd sensations can be felt at the site of treatment.

The effect of the treatment is immediate and lasts for about 90 days and sometimes longer. Patients feel less pain, less stiffness and usually have improved function.

As it is a localised treatment, there are no general side effects. Common local side effects are typically mild and self-limiting and include local discomfort, swelling, tenderness, bruising and tingling or numbness.

No special preparation is needed but patients should wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the knee to perform the treatment.

60 minutes

A single treatment is administered. After the effect wears off, the treatment can be repeated. When used for pain relief for knee replacement surgery, the treatment is given prior to surgery.

No special aftercare is needed.