Treatment methods of cryotherapy

In the following some fields of application of cryotherapeutic procedures will be examined in more detail: Cryoablation in cardiology: Here, cryotherapy is used to treat cardiac arrhythmias by eliminating those cells in the heart muscle that are responsible for the arrhythmia by icing. This procedure is used microinvasively in cardiac catheterization as well as in open heart surgery. The success rates are comparable to treatment with heat (radiofrequency ablation); however, cryoablation is often perceived as less painful.

Cryoextraction of the eye lens in ophthalmology: This method is used for the removal of the eye lens as a whole during cataract surgery. The lens is frozen and can be completely removed. Cryostripping in angiology: Here, cold is used to treat varicose veins.

Using a cold probe, the diseased vessel is threaded onto a catheter and frozen. This allows it to be completely removed within a short time. This minimizes the risk of a relapse.

Cryotherapy in dermatology: Cryotherapeutic methods are also widely used in dermatology. In addition to warts of various types, this is also used for malignant tumors, as mentioned above. Cryotherapy in orthopedics: Cryotherapy is also used in the field of orthopedics.

For example, percutaneous denervation can provide relief for chronic back pain, the cause of which lies in the area of the facet joints. In this case, the transmission of pain is to be prevented by interrupting the corresponding nerve fibers.Since frozen nerve fibers regenerate after some time, the duration of action is limited to 6-18 months and the procedure must then be repeated. Cryotherapy also provides pain relief for patients with chronic joint inflammation, e.g. rheumatic diseases. In addition to the reduced blood circulation due to narrowing of the blood vessels, the reduced conduction through the pain fibers also leads to relief.

Advantages of cryotherapy

An advantage of cryotherapy is the possibility of targeted application. For example, in dermatology, probes of different sizes can be used to treat only the affected skin areas, while protecting the surrounding tissue. Cryotherapy is also considered to be relatively painless.

Cryoablation in particular has a clear advantage over heat therapy with regard to pain. In addition, the side effects are relatively low when used properly. Furthermore, the procedures are often performed under local anaesthesia only, so that there is no additional risk of anaesthesia.