iovera Therapy
What is iovera?
iovera is a drug free, short term focused pain treatment that uses your body’s natural response to cold to reduce pain instantly by temporarily blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Of note, iovera does not cure the underlying cause of pain, but provides immediate pain relief.
How does the iovera System work?
The iovera system consists of a hand-held device that is used to deliver extreme cold precisely to the targeted nerve that is responsible for the pain without damaging surrounding tissues. The application of cold to the target site blocks the nerves from passing the pain signals to the brain for a period of time.
Indications for iovera Therapy
The iovera therapy may be indicated for:
- Chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis
- Acute postsurgical knee pain
- Reducing opioid consumption after knee surgery
Who should Avoid iovera System?
The iovera system is contraindicated in patients with conditions such as
- Cryoglobulinemia - Blood thickening when exposed to cold
- Cold Urticaria - Skin rashes
- Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria - Blood in the urine when exposed to cold
- Raynaud’s Disease - Narrowing blood vessels of the hands and feet
- Open cuts, infections and wounds
- Sensitive reaction to cold such as bruising, redness, swelling, inflammation, discoloration of the skin, etc.
The iovera Therapy Procedure
The following steps are involved in the iovera therapy procedure:
- The painful area is assessed.
- The treatment area is cleaned and marked.
- An anesthetic injection is used to number the treatment area.
- The probe, also known as the Smart Tip, of the handheld device is inserted into the treatment area. You may feel slight pressure as the Smart Tip is inserted.
- Controlled doses of cold temperature are delivered to the targeted nerve to temporarily stop the transmission of pain signals.
- The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes per area treated.
Aftercare for iovera Therapy
Immediately after undergoing treatment you should
- Apply pressure to the area for 15-20 minutes and then apply ice to the area to help reduce swelling
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Use ice and over-the-counter medications as recommended, avoid blood-thinning medications for 2 days unless specifically directed to take them.
- Avoid exercise or strenuous activity for 2-5 days
Side Effects of iovera Treatment
The iovera system is a safe needle based treatment that does not cause any damage to surrounding tissues. However, common temporary side effects include
- Localized pain and tenderness
- Swelling and bruising
- Numbness and tingling sensation
Results of the iovera System
- The patient can feel the immediate pain reduction at the treatment site.
- Reduction in knee pain can last up to 90 days until the nerve fully regenerates but can vary from person to person.
