Have you been experiencing persistent, growing knee pain? If so, you may have developed osteoarthritis (OA). Put simply, osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. This results in pain, swelling, and stiffness, particularly around the knees. Over time, impacted individuals may experience problems with mobility, making it increasingly difficult to complete daily tasks. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what knee OA is and who it affects. We’ll also explore cryoneurolysis for knee pain and how our knee doctors in Chicago can help you achieve long-term relief.
What Is Knee OA and How Is It Traditionally Treated?
Did you know that over 500 million people have osteoarthritis? While anyone can experience the disease, you’re more at risk if you meet the following conditions:
- You’re over the age of 50
- You have a family history of OA
- You have obesity
Traditionally, osteoarthritis has been treated through lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and over-the-counter pain relievers. While these methods can be helpful, they’re not always effective in reducing pain. Fortunately, there are more advanced, targeted treatments available.
Cryoneurolysis: The Power of a Targeted Approach
If traditional treatments aren’t providing the relief you need, you may benefit from cryoneurolysis. This innovative technique targets pain at its source, leading to long-term relief. So, how exactly does it work?
First, a small probe is inserted near the nerves around your knee. To minimize discomfort, your knee may be numbed with an anesthetic. Once in place, the probe sends bursts of extreme cold. This freezes the nerves so that they can no longer send pain signals to the brain. Not only does this relieve pain, but it also builds joint functionality and strength.
Benefits of Cryoneurolysis for Knee OA Pain Relief
While it’s still a relatively new procedure, cryoneurolysis has already proven to be effective in treating knee pain. Here are some top benefits of this procedure:
- Minimally invasive: Thanks to its minimally invasive nature, cryoneurolysis helps you avoid the complex side effects of surgical solutions.
- Fast recovery times: After the procedure, patients typically have minimal side effects (such as minor bruising by the knee). Most of these effects resolve within a few days, and patients can generally resume normal activities quickly.
- Reduced need for medication: Many people with osteoarthritis rely on pain relievers to manage the condition. Cryoneurolysis helps lower dependency on medication by decreasing pain levels.
- Increased mobility: By temporarily disabling nerve function, cryoneurolysis gives nerves a chance to regenerate and regain normal function. This helps improve mobility, allowing patients to use their knees more often.
- Better quality of life: The purpose of cryoneurolysis is to target and relieve your pain, resulting in improved health, happiness, and a better quality of life.
Ultimately, cryoneurolysis offers a unique balance that makes it stand out. Its targeted, personalized approach makes it more effective than traditional methods. Meanwhile, its minimally invasive nature offers fewer complications and side effects than surgical solutions. Due to these benefits, it’s no surprise that cryoneurolysis has escalated in popularity.
Who Is A Candidate for Cryoneurolysis?
From quick recovery times to improved mobility, there are many benefits of cryoneurolysis. This treatment might be right for you if you meet any of the following conditions:
- You have osteoarthritis and/or joint pain
- You’re not interested in surgical pain relief solutions
- Traditional methods or surgical methods did not work for you
It’s important to note that cryoneurolysis isn’t for everyone. For example, the procedure generally isn’t recommended for children, adolescents, pregnant women or people with certain nerve conditions. Before beginning treatment, our team will carefully consider your medical history and symptoms. If you’re a viable candidate, we’ll begin crafting a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Contact Our Knee Doctors In Chicago Today!
Are you one of the millions of individuals who has osteoarthritis? Cryoneurolysis may be right for you. At MAPS, we offer double-board certified doctors who are highly experienced in minimally invasive, targeted pain treatments. We specialize in compassionate, patient-centered care that treats the underlying cause of your pain. Interested in learning more? Schedule a knee pain consultation today!