About iovera°
What is the iovera° treatment? The iovera° treatment uses the body’s natural response to cold to treat peripheral nerves and immediately reduce pain—without the use of drugs. Treated nerves are temporarily stopped from sending pain signals for a period of time, followed by a restoration of function.
It is important to note that the iovera° therapy does not treat the underlying cause of the pain. Timely remediation is necessary to address and treat the cause of pain.
How does iovera° treatment work? The iovera° treatment works by applying targeted cold to a peripheral nerve. A precise cold zone is formed under the skin—cold enough to immediately prevent the nerve from sending pain signals without causing damage to surrounding structures. The effect on the nerve is temporary, providing pain relief until the nerve regenerates and function is restored.
The iovera° treatment does not include injection of any substance, opioid, or any other drug. The effect of this treatment is immediate and can last up to 90 days.1
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I. Treatment
A cold zone is created, lowering the temperature to below -20°C.
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II. Degeneration
Cold zone causes degeneration of the axon and myelin sheath, temporarily blocking nerve signals.
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III. Regeneration
Post treatment, the axon regenerates at the rate of about 1 to 2 mm per day.
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IV. Reinnervation
The axon and myelin sheath are fully regenerated and nerve signaling is restored.
REFERENCE
- Radnovich R, Scott D, Patel AT, et al. Cryoneurolysis to treat the pain and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2017;25(8):1247-1256.