What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of cryoneurolysis for treating painful spasticity in post-stroke upper limbs.

April 26, 2026Open Access

Upper-Limb Cryoneurolysis for Painful Post-Stroke Spasticity in Severely Impaired Upper Limbs: A Feasibility Case Series

Key Points

The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of cryoneurolysis for treating painful spasticity in post-stroke upper limbs.
Conducted a feasibility case series in an outpatient rehabilitation center with three adults having chronic post-stroke hemiparesis.
Performed ultrasound- and nerve stimulation-guided cryoneurolysis on musculocutaneous, median, and/or ulnar nerves.
Assessed outcomes including procedure completion, tolerability, adverse events, and functional measures at baseline and 6 months.
All procedures were completed successfully without serious adverse events or complications.
Modified Ashworth Scale decreased by at least 2 points, indicating a reduction in spasticity, with improved passive mobility lasting for 6 months.
One participant experienced reduced pain, while two had unchanged pain levels; electroneuromyography results were varied.

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke upper-limb spasticity can cause pain, hinder passive care, and lead to secondary musculoskeletal complications. Current minimally invasive treatments have important limitations. Cryoneurolysis, which creates a controlled cold lesion of peripheral nerves, may offer a partially reversible focal denervation alternative. Methods: We conducted a feasibility case series in the outpatient department of a rehabilitation centre. Three adults with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis and a non-functional spastic upper limb underwent ultrasound- and nerve stimulation-guided cryoneurolysis of the musculocutaneous, median, and/or ulnar nerves. All had demonstrated a positive response to diagnostic nerve blocks beforehand. Feasibility outcomes included completion of planned nerve targets, tolerability under local anesthesia, absence of serious adverse events, and completion of 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), qualitatively assessed passive joint mobility (video-documented), pain measured by visual analogue scale, sensory testing, and electroneuromyography (ENMG). Results: All procedures were completed as planned. Treatment was well tolerated under local anesthesia, and no serious adverse events occurred. MAS decreased by at least 2 points in targeted patterns, with immediate improvement in passive mobility; these effects persisted at 6 months. Pain remained unchanged in two participants and improved in one. Sensory testing at 6 weeks was stable. ENMG findings were heterogeneous, including reduced ulnar sensory action potential amplitude and biceps denervation activity in one participant. Conclusions: In this small series, cryoneurolysis for post-stroke upper-limb spasticity was feasible and associated with sustained tone reduction and improved passive mobility. Larger controlled studies are required to better define safety, optimize targeting strategies, and assess patient-centred outcomes.

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