Papers of the Week

Thumb injuries are common in baseball players and can sometimes be challenging to effectively manage. A subset of patients experience failed nonoperative management yet do not have a clear indication for surgery. Cryoneurolysis or cryoanalgesia is a form of neuromodulation for pain that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration; it has been used safely and effectively on a variety of peripheral nerves. The mechanism of action involves percutaneous introduction of a small probe under local anesthetic to nerve tissue using ultrasound guidance. The probe is then cooled to -88°C using nitrous oxide, which results in secondary Wallerian degeneration. Axonal and myelin regeneration occurs completely in 3 to 6 months.