Cryoneurolysis for the Treatment of Sensory Nerve Pain

Acute and chronic pain account for high costs both societally and economically, estimated in the United States to be $635 billion. Untreated or undertreated acute pain is associated with substantial morbidity and may become chronic pain. Surgical patients are at an increased risk of long-term opioid use or addiction. Overdose from drugs of abuse, including opioids, is the leading cause of death due to injury in the United States. Traditional pain management strategies for acute and chronic pain have focused on opioid medications, which are often associated with severe side effects. Cryoneurolysis is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical, nonpharmacologic pain management technique that uses cold temperatures to ablate the sensory nerves that cause pain. Because of its safe and reversible nature, cryoneurolysis should be considered as part of a multimodal pain management plan in patients experiencing pain originating from sensory nerves.