Cryoanalgesia to treat phantom limb pain following a trans-femoral (above-knee) amputation: a randomized, sham-controlled pilot study
Authors' conclusion
We found no evidence that percutaneous cryoneurolysis of the four major nerves of the thigh with an argon-based machine improved lower extremity phantom pain 1 month following treatment.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with an existing above-knee amputations (AKA) and intractable phantom pain
- Participants
- 11 vs 5
- Comparison
- Cryoneurolysis vs Sham
- Cryoneurolysisn = 11
- Shamn = 5reference
- Primary endpoint
- Average phantom limb pain intensity
- Follow-up
- 1 month
Methodological detailssham-controlled, pilot, masked participants and assessors, optional crossover at 4-6 months
- Sham-controlled
- Pilot
- Masked participants and assessors
- Optional crossover at 4-6 months
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Cryoneurolysis
5.0
interval 5.0–6.0
Sham
5.0
interval 4.8–5.3
Further findings
Patients' Global Impression of Change and Brief Pain Inventory (interference subscale) · after the initial post-treatment week
- No improvement suggested in either group
Tissue temperature 3 mm from the cryoprobe
- Time to reach −20°C
- 2.5 min
- Did not reach −40°C by end of freeze cycle
Original publication
Cryoanalgesia to treat phantom limb pain following a trans-femoral (above-knee) amputation: a randomized, sham-controlled pilot study. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 1 October 2025. doi:10.
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