At Sagewell Orthopaedics, Dr. Scott Strasburger and his team are committed to connecting patients with innovative solutions for knee pain. We are excited to offer access to the iovera° treatment, a cutting-edge therapy that uses the power of cold to deliver targeted, non-opioid pain relief.

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What is Iovera°?

Iovera° is an advanced form of cryotherapy that may help you find relief from chronic knee pain. You might have heard it called a way to “freeze away the pain.” For centuries, people have used ice to manage acute pain and reduce swelling. The iovera° system builds on this principle, using modern technology to deliver long-lasting pain relief by precisely targeting the nerves that send pain signals to the brain.

This simple, safe procedure is performed at the Syracuse Area Health specialty clinic, offering an effective option for managing your knee pain.
 

How Can Iovera° Help You?

Dr. Scott Strasburger and his team may recommend iovera° in several ways to help patients manage pain and improve their quality of life. Ask your Sagewell Orthopaedics care team about iovera° to see if it fits your treatment plan.

  • Pre-Operative Pain Management: For patients preparing for knee surgery, iovera° can be a game-changer. When applied before an operation, the treatment may help block pain signals in the knee. This nerve block can last for several weeks after surgery, potentially providing safe and effective pain relief during the crucial early recovery period.
  • A Bridge to Surgery: Sometimes, there's a waiting period before a scheduled knee replacement. Iovera° can serve as an excellent "bridge" therapy, helping to manage your knee pain effectively until your surgery date. This approach may provide significant relief without the need for opioid medications or certain injections that could delay your procedure.
  • Standalone Pain Relief: For individuals suffering from ongoing knee pain who may not be ready for surgery, iovera° can be used as a standalone treatment. It offers a non-systemic, non-opioid option for managing discomfort and helping you stay active.
     

What is the Iovera° Procedure Like?

The iovera° procedure is a minimally invasive treatment performed with precision and care. While you will consult with your provider at Sagewell, the procedure itself takes place at the SAH specialty clinic.

  1. Nerve Identification: First, ultrasound imaging is used to identify the specific nerves responsible for sending pain signals from your knee. The skin is then marked over the areas to be treated.
  2. Numbing the Area: Before beginning, a local anesthetic, like lidocaine, is applied to numb the treatment sites and ensure your comfort. A cooling spray is also used just before each application.
  3. Applying the Treatment: The iovera° device uses small, specialized needles to deliver targeted cold therapy to the nerve. As the device works, an ice crystal forms around the nerve, which temporarily interrupts its ability to send pain signals. Patients often describe the sensation as a mild prickling or a sharp tingle.

The entire process is efficient, and multiple sites can be treated during a single session, depending on your specific pain patterns.
 

Take the Next Step 

You don’t have to let knee pain control your life. The iovera° treatment offers a new level of hope for managing discomfort, whether you are preparing for surgery or seeking an alternative to traditional pain management.

Ask your Sagewell Orthopaedics care team about iovera° today. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Scott Strasburger to discuss your symptoms and discover if the innovative iovera° treatment is the right choice for you.

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Orthopaedics