Spasticity

Spasticity

As the first and only clinic in Denmark, we offer treatment for spasticity in children and adults using ultrasound-guided cryoneurolysis.

Spasticity is often seen in people with neurological disorders, including stroke (blood clot in the brain or brain hemorrhage), traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy.

Spasticity can interfere with movement and posture, causing discomfort and pain, either at rest or during movement, which significantly reduces quality of life. If left untreated, spasticity can lead to contractures. A contracture is a reduced range of motion around a joint due to changes in the joint or the surrounding soft tissues, preventing normal movement of the joint, which can be highly inconvenient for the individual.

Cryoneurolysis is an innovative procedure for treating spasticity in children and adults.

The procedure works by freezing the nerves that cause muscles to contract.

What is Cryoneurolysis?

Cryoneurolysis is a non-surgical procedure where spasticity or pain is treated by targeted freezing of one or more nerves. The nerve’s function will regenerate over time. Cryoneurolysis removes overactive activity from specific nerves, which can be the cause of spasticity and pain.

Why choose Cryoneurolysis?

Compared to other treatments, cryoneurolysis has been shown to have a long-lasting effect. It has surgery-like results and involves no medication. The treatment focuses on reducing pain and spasticity.

Cryoneurolysis Procedure:

A needle, called a cryoprobe, is inserted under ultrasound guidance and using nerve stimulation near a targeted nerve. A container of nitrous oxide in a handheld device causes the freezing. By using water from the body’s cells to create an ice ball, the cryoprobe freezes the targeted nerve, which can then grow back.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

The most common side effects include:

  • Bruising or swelling
  • Bleeding at the injection site
  • Cramping
  • Tenderness

Patients have reported:

  • Undesired numbness
  • Nerve pain
  • Weakness
  • Temporary skin infection

PROCEDURE

BEFORE

Before the procedure, our team will measure the range of motion in the limb(s) to be treated with cryoneurolysis.

DURING

Pain, cramping, or burning nerve pain is expected during the procedure. However, this quickly subsides for most patients. Some patients experience dizziness.

AFTER

The patient can go home shortly after the procedure if everything is stable. The patient is likely to have bruising and some tenderness as the muscles adapt to their new range of motion. Follow-up with a physiotherapist is recommended after the procedure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answer: Depending on the number and type of nerves being treated with freezing, the procedure can last between 45 and 90 minutes.

Answer: We have observed that the effect of cryoneurolysis can last from months to years and in some cases be permanent. However, this varies greatly and depends on the individual person, their medical condition, and the area(s) being treated.

Answer: Cryoneurolysis does not use or inject any drugs or toxins. The gas in the probe does not enter the patient’s body. Instead, the cryoprobe freezes water inside the body to create an ice ball that freezes the targeted nerve to relieve pain or spasticity.