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Ultrasound cavitation for neuropathy pain - has anyone tried this?

Posted by margaret10 @margaret10, Jan 30, 2023

Ultrasound cavitation is a method related to ultrasound treatments for kidney stones and erectile dysfunction (both FDA approved). For neuropathy, it's supposed to work by disrupting scar tissue, thereby freeing entrapped nerve fibers. My neuropathy developed after bone breaks in both feet/ankles and scar tissue has been visualized in an MRI.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 30, 2023

Hi Margaret @margaret10, Thanks for starting this discussion. I couldn't find any posts by members discussing ultrasound treatments for helping with scar tissue but hopefully members that have tried it will share their experience with you. I did find some fairly recent articles that show some promise.

-- Focused Ultrasound Therapy: https://www.fusfoundation.org/diseases-and-conditions/neuropathic-pain/
-- Therapeutic Potential of Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Decreasing Neuropathic Pain: Clinical and Experimental Evidence: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8033967/.

This one from 2013 is a little different in that it uses ultrasound to deliver the drug for pain relief which can avoid some of the traditional side effects of a drug.
-- "SonoBandage" a transdermal ultrasound drug delivery system for peripheral neuropathy:
https://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.4801417.

Have you discussed ultrasound cavitation or other options with your doctor or surgeon?

REPLY
1 reply
margaret10 | @margaret10 | Jan 30, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Margaret @margaret10, Thanks for starting this discussion. I couldn't find any posts by members discussing..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi Margaret @margaret10, Thanks for starting this discussion. I couldn't find any posts by members discussing ultrasound treatments for helping with scar tissue but hopefully members that have tried it will share their experience with you. I did find some fairly recent articles that show some promise.

-- Focused Ultrasound Therapy: https://www.fusfoundation.org/diseases-and-conditions/neuropathic-pain/
-- Therapeutic Potential of Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Decreasing Neuropathic Pain: Clinical and Experimental Evidence: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8033967/.

This one from 2013 is a little different in that it uses ultrasound to deliver the drug for pain relief which can avoid some of the traditional side effects of a drug.
-- "SonoBandage" a transdermal ultrasound drug delivery system for peripheral neuropathy:
https://asa.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1121/1.4801417.

Have you discussed ultrasound cavitation or other options with your doctor or surgeon?

Jump to this post

Dear John,
Thanks so much for the citations. It seems that even though ultrasound has been around for a long time, there does not seem to be a clear consensus about its treatment of peripheral neuropathy pain - mostly small studies. I am hesitant to experiment, especially with focused ultrasound treatment of the brain, because I have epilepsy. I was hoping for a low-intensity, non-focused ultrasound treatment of peripheral nerves. I will run the more promising studies described in "Therapeutic Potential of Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Decreasing Neuropathic Pain . .. " by my neuromuscular neurologist and see if she knows of additional studies. Thanks so much for the help.

REPLY
julkun | @julkun | Jan 31, 2023

Looked it up and found this: "The neurosurgery literature has documented the injurious effects of ultrasound on peripheral nerves. The potential for ultrasonic energy causing damage to peripheral nerves suggests that the risks of using UAL in arms, legs, neck and face may outweigh any potential benefits". Be careful!!!

REPLY
1 reply
margaret10 | @margaret10 | Feb 1, 2023
In reply to @julkun "Looked it up and found this: "The neurosurgery literature has documented the injurious effects of ultrasound..." + (show)
@julkun

Looked it up and found this: "The neurosurgery literature has documented the injurious effects of ultrasound on peripheral nerves. The potential for ultrasonic energy causing damage to peripheral nerves suggests that the risks of using UAL in arms, legs, neck and face may outweigh any potential benefits". Be careful!!!

Jump to this post

Thanks julkun! I'll pass that onto my neurologist. Do you remember where you saw the discussion re/ risks of UAL? Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
julkun | @julkun | Feb 2, 2023
In reply to @margaret10 "Thanks julkun! I'll pass that onto my neurologist. Do you remember where you saw the discussion..." + (show)
@margaret10

Thanks julkun! I'll pass that onto my neurologist. Do you remember where you saw the discussion re/ risks of UAL? Thank you.

Jump to this post

I googled UAL and neuropathy, I think.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 3 days ago

Hello @sash, I saw your post in another new discussion and thought I would respond to you in this discussion on the topic you mentioned. If you scroll to the top of this discussion started by @margaret10, you can read what others have shared on ultrasound treatment.

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