The UVA Anesthesiology Acute Pain Service is now offering cryoablation. The technique involves the application of very cold temperatures to specific nerves under ultrasound guidance to treat painful conditions. UVA has offered the technique in the past for the destruction of nerves in the outpatient clinic. The introduction of the technique to the acute pain service is new. Using a handheld device, UVA physicians are now able to target the nerves responsible for pain in a specific area under ultrasound guidance. The procedure takes just a few minutes and can be performed at the bedside.
Ultrasound Image of Cryoablation Procedure
Matt Holland, MD, one of the Pain Management Division faculty who was involved in the project said “The regional anesthesia and pain management physicians are now trained on use of the cryoablation device. The technique is similar to a nerve block, except that the results last for about 90 days.”
Recently, the APS performed its first two cryoablation cases. One was for an patient with a hip fracture. The other was for an elderly patient with multiple rib fractures. Both patients experienced improved pain afterwards.
As use of the procedure expands, other common applications include persistent pain after knee surgery and shoulder surgery. Holland says, “Our hope is that by offering cryoablation, we can facilitate discharge from the hospital faster after isolated traumatic injuries. Who wouldn’t rather recover at home?”