Preoperative Cryoneurolysis for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Series

The purpose of this pilot project case series is to describe the use of preoperative cryoneurolysis for 10 patients presenting for total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Descriptive research design.

Billing codes were used to identify 10 patients who had previously undergone TKA, preoperative cryoneurolysis and physical therapy (PT) at a Midwestern community hospital. Data collected included anesthetic management strategies, multimodal analgesic therapies, postanesthesia care unit pain scores (PACU), pain scores during physical therapy, and achievement of a range of motion during physical therapy.

Nine of 10 patients who received preoperative cryoneurolysis had PACU pain scores of 0 (0-10 scale) up to 90 minutes postoperatively. Pain scores immediately following cryoneurolysis therapy were reduced in all patients reporting pain greater than 0 (1-10 pain scale) before their treatment. Increased active range of motion trends were noted with reports of decreased pain scores during postoperative physical therapy sessions.

This pilot project case series demonstrates potential benefits of using preoperative cryoneurolysis to provide postoperative pain control and aid with physical therapy recovery following TKA.