Joint Pain Rehabilitation

Using cold to relieve pain has been a standard treatment for many years. Now, a treatment called iovera® harnesses the power of focused cold to deliver immediate, long-term relief for people with chronic or severe joint pain – without side effects.

The University of Kansas Health System is the only healthcare provider between Denver and Chicago to provide iovera, which works by applying targeted cold to a peripheral nerve. A precise cold zone then forms under the skin – cold enough to immediately stop the nerve from sending pain signals while avoiding damage to the surrounding tissue. Pain relief from this process typically lasts 3-5 months.

Performed in the physician's office, the procedure is convenient and quick, generally taking about 30 minutes from start to finish. A local anesthetic is applied, followed by the procedure. Patients are even able to drive themselves home after treatment.

Individuals who are scheduled for knee replacement surgery can also benefit from iovera. An injection before surgery gives you an opportunity to build up strength without pain, which speeds recovery. Iovera also diminishes pain after surgery, so you can rehabilitate more quickly with less need for pain medicines.

Advanced musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging is an exciting injury assessment technique that has improved the care of patients. Our doctors are specially trained in using musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to deliver therapies to the locations where they are most likely to help.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an injury assessment technique that uses sound waves to create images of parts of the body, such as tendons, ligaments, nerves, muscles and bursae. This helps to provide visible, high-resolution images without using radiation or causing further discomfort.

Allowing for detailed images of areas of the body, musculoskeletal ultrasound improves accuracy of treatments, providing an optimal view of the injured body part. Unlike MRI testing, ultrasound shows the musculoskeletal system in motion, allowing pain with motion to be directly evaluated. In addition, patients are able to obtain direct feedback from the physician during and after the testing.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses the blood’s natural healing properties to accelerate repair of damaged joint tissue, such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments. A sample of your blood is collected and sent through a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the white blood cells and platelets into platelet-rich plasma. The PRP is then injected directly to the affected area, delivering these potent healing factors where they’re needed the most.

Tenex Health TX™ System is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment designed for people who suffer from painful chronic conditions.

Based on technology developed in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, Tenex Health TX removes damaged tendon soft tissue that is the source of the pain. The procedure combines ultrasound imaging with a MicroTip minimally invasive instrument, which uses optimized ultrasonic energy to precisely break down and remove only the damaged area of the tendon, leaving healthy tissue undisturbed.

Recovery time for the procedure is relatively quick with most people experiencing rapid pain relief. Tenex Health TX is FDA-approved, and more than 23,000 procedures have been successfully performed.