Nerve damage can lead to pain lasting for years or even a lifetime. Researchers have recently shown that exposing damaged nerves to a cold needle triggers their regeneration, thereby significantly reducing pain.
La cryoneurolyse
Able to be performed by an interventional radiologist, the procedure is known as cryoneurolyse “. It involves freezing a hypodermic needle, inserting it under the patient’s skin, and then using CT scan technology to guide it to the damaged nerve. On contact, the nerve first deteriorates, losing its function, but then regenerates into a new, healthy nerve.
« The Sunderland classification includes five degrees of peripheral nerve damage “, Explain David Prologueresearcher atEmory University of Atlanta and lead author of the study, which will be presented later this month at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology. « They range from the partial injury [Sunderland 1] complete and irreversible rupture [Sunderland 5]. »
« After a Sunderland Type 2 injury, the nerve degenerates and then regenerates, which does not occur after a Sunderland Type 1 or Sunderland Type 3 to 5 injury “, continues the researcher. ” By exposing the nerve to the right amount of cold, for the right duration, on the right area and in a targeted manner, the very specific Sunderland type 2 lesion can be induced.. »
Impressive results
For now, Prologue and his colleagues tested this innovative treatment on eight patients suffering from chronic nerve pain for an average of 9.5 years.
No negative side effects were observed in the test subjects, and all regained full use of the affected limb over time. According to the scientists, such results confirm that the damaged nerve has successfully regenerated. The team also reported that six of the participants reported a dramatic reduction in pain.
Although more research still needs to be done, the study authors believe that interventional cryoneurolysis could one day replace pain medication not only when nerves have been damaged as a result of trauma, but also to treat conditions chronicles such as pudendal neuralgia.