Blair, NE – With an increased concern about opioid dependency, an exciting new treatment to knee pain has medical professionals very optimistic.

The treatment, known as iovera°, or Cold Therapy Nerve Block for knee pain, uses the body’s natural response to cold to treat knee pain and turn off pain receptors at the site. Using a needle cooled with nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, surgeons are able to pinpoint the peripheral nerves in the knee to mask the pain, all within a clinical office environment.

The treatment uses the body’s natural response to cold to temporarily inhibit a nerve’s ability to transmit signals. This technology is unique in this sense that it provides pain relief that is immediate, lasting and safe. It is non-invasive and can be done in just minutes. Though results vary with patients, the nerve does regenerate after two months and the treatment wears off, returning all feeling back to the site.

MCH&HS is committed to doing their part to combat the growing opioid crisis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 42,000 fatal opioid-related overdoses in 2016 alone.

“Offering this type of therapy at MCH&HS is a great opportunity for our patients to have access to a new approach to treating knee pain. This really offers them a non-opioid alternative to managing their pain and we are very excited to offer it here,” said Dr. Suzanne Hruza, a Diagnostic Radiology physician with Radiology Consultants in Omaha and MCH&HS in Blair.

Individuals seeking more information about this exciting new treatment can attend a free Lunch & Learn on June 17th at MCH&HS. Seating is limited. Please call (402) 426-1494 to register today.