Iovera Treatment for Athletes: Managing Sports Injuries

Knee injuries are relatively common, particularly among athletes, and they can be some of the most painful and sidelining types of sports injuries out there. In some cases, a knee injury can even end an athlete’s seasons, whether due to ongoing pain, inability to safely participate in their sport, or – perhaps most frustrating – the recovery time associated with knee surgery. For athletes looking to avoid knee surgery, minimize downtime, and manage their pain effectively and conveniently, board-certified orthopedic surgery Dr. Amber Randall and our dedicated team at Southwest Hip and Knee are proud to offer Iovera treatment in Tempe, AZ. With Iovera, patient-athletes can find quick relief from sports injury knee pain (as well as knee arthritis pain and more) without anesthesia, incisions, a lengthy recovery period, and the other downsides of knee surgery. Find answers to Iovera FAQs here, including questions specifically about Iovera for knee pain and sports injuries.

What is Iovera pain management?

Iovera is a scientifically advanced pain management option specifically designed to promote knee pain relief. Using targeted cold therapy, Iovera treatment temporarily “freezes” the specific nerves responsible for a patient’s knee pain, allowing them to regain pain-free mobility and overcome their injury more comfortably and – in some cases – sooner.

How does Iovera for knee pain work?

One of the most exciting benefits of Iovera for knee injury pain is that it is completely nonsurgical and requires no anesthesia, incisions, scarring, lasers, or injections. Instead, Iovera can be performed in just about half an hour, while the patient relaxes comfortable in one of our private treatment rooms. To begin, a topical numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area. Once the area is numb, the Iovera handheld device is placed over the knee, and extreme cold therapy is introduced to “freeze” targeted nerves – meaning to block those nerves from sending pain signals.

What kind of pain does Iovera help with?

Dr. Randall may recommend Iovera for various types of knee pain and injuries, including arthritis in the knee. With its convenience and nonsurgical approach that obviates the need for an extended recovery period, many athletes turn to Iovera for sports injuries involving the knee. Some of the most common types of athletic knee injury pain that may be managed with Iovera include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Knee dislocation
• Knee ligament injury or tear
• Knee fracture
• Knee ACL injury
• Knee sprain
• Postsurgical knee pain

It is important to keep in mind that Iovera is not considered a treatment for the knee injury itself but, rather, a temporarily solution for managing knee pain associated with the injury or intervention. Still, many patients find that their recovery after a knee injury is more efficient and sometimes quicker with nonsurgical pain management like Iovera compared to surgery, prescription medication, and other pain management options.

Is Iovera permanent?

The nerves cooled with Iovera pain treatment will ultimately “thaw” or regenerate its prior function, meaning the Iovera is considered a temporary solution for knee pain. However, many patients find that their pain is significantly reduced even after the nerve “wakes up,” and a repeat Iovera treatment can help provide even longer-term, consistent relief from knee injury pain.

Don’t let knee pain sideline you for long – consider nonsurgical Iovera nerve freezing for knee pain in Tempe, AZ

If you’re struggling with knee pain from a sports injury but don’t want injections or surgery, you may be interested in learning more about nonsurgical Iovera treatment. Take the first step toward knee pain relief that gets you back in the game by calling Southwest Hip & Knee to schedule your consultation with Tempe, AZ board-certified orthopedic surgeon and knee pain specialist Dr. Amber Randall today.