Scientists from Emory University found that damaged nerves can be regenerated with the application of a frozen needle under advanced imaging guidance.
The research was presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting and was conducted by J. David Prologo et al.
The technique, called interventional cryoneurolysis, is performed by an interventional radiologist and can offer hope to patients in persistent pain following a traumatic injury.
In the study, the team treated eight patients with chronic nerve pain related to a prior trauma with CT-guided interventional cryoneurolysis.
CT-guided cryoneurolysis uses imaging to place a needle and freeze damaged nerves, causing them to degenerate and lose function.
The time found average time from traumatic injury to the procedure was 9.5 years.
There were no procedure-related complications or adverse events, and all patients returned to their baseline strength over time—confirming regeneration of the targeted nerve.
In six of the eight patients, pain symptoms dramatically improved following regeneration—reflected as a collective decrease of 4.6 points in Visual Analog Scale pain scores.
The idea that scientists can induce regeneration of damaged nerves simply by placing a cold needle through the skin under imaging guidance is extremely exciting.
This research answers the call from United States legislators and specialty medical societies to develop alternatives to opioids for the management of pain.
The team believes that the interventional radiology skillset applied to nerve freezing has many applications for the treatment of complex pain.
If you care about pain, please read studies about therapy that can effectively treat pain, depression and anxiety, and more than half of Americans suffer from back pain and leg pain.
For more information about pain, please see recent studies about new method to help relieve back pain, and results showing this pain medication may increase your hip fracture risk.
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