Safety of Cryoneurolysis as a Preoperative Treatment for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

Cryoneurolysis is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes extreme cold temperature to achieve thermal neurolysis of peripheral sensory nerves. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of cryoneurolysis as a preoperative treatment for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and assess the incidence of major and minor wound complications associated with the procedure. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 357 patients who underwent cryoanalgesia within two weeks of their scheduled TKA. The study found that cryoneurolysis as a preoperative treatment for TKA did not demonstrate an increased incidence of major complications, including acute periprosthetic joint infections, skin necrosis, or permanent treatment site nerve damage/neuroma compared to published rates of infection. Complications were minimal, with only three cases of infection and five cases of superficial cellulitis observed; however, none were directly attributable to the cryoneurolysis procedure. These findings are encouraging and suggest that cryoneurolysis is a relatively safe adjunct procedure with a similar risk of major or minor complications when used as a preoperative treatment for TKA.