Managing joint pain, especially before or after surgery, requires more than just medications. For patients undergoing knee or hip replacement, effective pain control is essential for comfort, mobility, and recovery. One innovative, drug-free option is iovera°, a targeted cold therapy system designed to temporarily block pain. Here’s how it works, and why it’s becoming a popular choice in orthopedics.
What Makes iovera° Different from Other Pain Treatments?
iovera° is a minimally invasive treatment that uses precise, controlled cold to block pain signals in targeted nerves. This process, called cryoanalgesia, involves inserting a small probe near the nerve and using extremely cold temperatures (around –88°C) to temporarily disrupt its ability to transmit pain. Importantly, the nerve structure remains intact and naturally regenerates over time, usually over several months.
How iovera° Alleviates Pain
Pain signals travel along peripheral nerves to the brain. iovera° targets specific nerves by freezing them at the source, which halts pain transmission without the use of drugs. For patients undergoing knee replacement, for example, the iovera° device is often used to target the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve, a key pathway for surgical pain.
The result? Many patients experience significant pain relief within minutes, often lasting several weeks or even months, giving them a more comfortable window for surgery prep or early rehabilitation.
Benefits of iovera° for Orthopedic Patients
- Reduces reliance on opioids and oral pain medications
- Improves preoperative mobility and confidence
- Supports smoother postoperative rehabilitation
- No systemic side effects or sedation required
- Can be performed in-office with minimal downtime
These advantages make iovera° especially attractive to patients seeking more holistic, multimodal approaches to pain management before or after joint replacement surgery.
Is iovera° Safe and Effective?
Yes, clinical studies have shown that iovera° is a safe and well-tolerated treatment with high patient satisfaction rates. It does not damage surrounding tissue and has a low risk of complications. In randomized trials, patients treated with iovera° reported better pain control, faster return to function, and reduced opioid use in the critical days and weeks following surgery.1
It’s important to note that while the nerve function does regenerate, the treatment can be repeated if additional pain control is needed.
Considering iovera° as Part of Your Care Plan
At the Oklahoma Joint Reconstruction Institute, we're committed to offering recovery options that prioritize your comfort and well-being. Contact us to find out if advanced cold therapy is the right fit for your treatment plan and recovery timeline.
AUTHOR: Dr. Paul Jacob is a certified master surgeon in joint replacement and robotic joint replacement of the hip and knee in Oklahoma City. Dr. Jacob is recognized as one of the Top 3 Orthopedic Surgeons in Oklahoma, who has performed over 7000 robotic joint replacement procedures. Dr. Jacob is active in numerous research studies on joint replacement technology and robotic outcomes.
Reference:
1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9501843/
