Nerve Treatments for Arthritis Pain

What it is : An insulated needle is inserted next to a nerve near a joint. High-frequency energy is passed through the needle. The heats  damages the nerves, interrupting pain signals. The procedure can provide relief until the nerves regenerate. This could last up to a year, but the relief you feel and how long it lasts will vary from person to person.

Used for: This therapy is useful for osteoarthritis pain in the joints of the spine or knees. A 2017 study published in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine found that radiofrequency ablation of the knee provided longer-lasting pain relief than corticosteroid injections.

Risks : In rare instances, numbness, infection, bleeding or a temporary increase in pain may occur.

What it is: A tool that contains liquid nitrous oxide freezes three small, hollow needles. The needles are inserted into or near a joint. The cold damages the nerves that transmit pain signals. After a few months, the pain will begin to return as the nerves regenerate.

Used for: The procedure is done in the knee and joints of the back. You’ll have greater pain relief that lasts longer if your arthritis is mild. A 2016 study published in Knee found that people who received cryoneurolysis several days before surgery recovered faster and needed fewer narcotic pain relievers after joint surgery.

Risks: Side effects are mild and include bruising, tenderness and swelling at the injection site.

What it is: A doctor injects a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine -- or a mixture of a numbing agent plus a corticosteroid  -- into a nerve. The anesthetic stops pain signals from traveling to the brain, and the steroids help reduce inflammation. Nerve blocks are used to temporarily block pain and to help physicians pinpoint where pain is coming from.

Used for: Nerve blocks are most commonly used for back pain that moves up to the arm or down to the leg. A single nerve block may provide immediate relief. For people who have longstanding pain, it may take several injections to feel a difference.

Risks: Infection and bleeding can happen with any injection. A physician could target the wrong nerve and cause problems with movement or feeling in the affected area.

What it is: A small, battery-operated pump filled with pain medication, such as morphine, is surgically implanted into the body. The pump delivers small doses of medicine directly into the space around the spinal cord. Refills are needed every one to three months.

This localized medicine comes with fewer body-wide side effects than oral narcotics.

Used for: Pain pumps are most commonly used for spine disorders such as compression fractures or spinal stenosis. It may be used as a last resort for long-standing pain from rheumatoid arthritis or connective tissue disorders, such as lupus or scleroderma.

Risks: There are risks of infection, bleeding and nerve damage with any surgery. The drug-delivery catheter could get blocked. Depending on the medication, numbness, trouble with urination or low blood pressure may occur.