Recovery of function after cryosurgical lesions of peripheral nerves in rats

Unilateral lesions were made in rat sciatic nerves with a cryoprobe at about -65 degrees C. Three months later, recovery of motor and sensory function of the hindlimb had occurred. The compound action potential from the dorsal root indicated that myelinated and unmyelinated fibre groups had regenerated. Cryosurgery may be useful in the long-term blockade of sensory nerves for pain relief.