Neuroma

atients with combat-related amputations frequently develop chronic neuroma pain that interferes with rehabilitation, prosthesis use, mobility, sleep, and quality of life. Cryoablation is a minimally invasive treatment that produces controlled nerve injury using extreme cold. Although the freezing effect is localized around the cryoprobe, axonal interruption followed by distal Wallerian degeneration may extend functional denervation distal to the ablation site. This study aims to compare two ultrasound-guided cryoablation strategies for chronic neuroma pain after combat-related amputation: cryoablation performed directly near the neuroma and cryoablation performed proximal to the neuroma along the affected nerve. The study will evaluate whether proximal nerve cryoablation produces greater or longer-lasting analgesic effects compared with perineuroma cryoablation.

In 2016, one in five individuals in the United States (US) experienced chronic pain, and approximately 40% of them suffered from neuropathic pain. The physical and emotional burden on patients results in costs of billions of dollars annually. Digital amputations affect over 23,000 people each year in the US and may lead to neuropathic pain and neuroma formation in the transected nerves. Previous studies have reported a 6.6% incidence of symptomatic neuroma, and more than 60% of these patients require surgery to reduce the negative impact on their daily living activities. To minimize neuroma formation after digital amputation, various techniques have been described, such as traction neurectomies (TN) and dorsal transpositions (DT), with and without nerve coaptation. However, it remains unclear whether these techniques improve patient-reported outcome measures in individuals undergoing this type of procedure. Previously published studies are descriptive in nature, focus on a single surgical technique, or include patients with established symptomatic neuromas. The only prospective trial on this topic was published in 2000 and compared two conventional techniques that have since been modified to better minimize neuroma formation or to reduce mechanical pressure by transposing the nerve ends to the dorsal aspect of the hand. However, that study used different scales to measure outcomes and did not incorporate aspects of pain that affect patients' emotional and social well-being. Currently, two randomized controlled trials are enrolling patients. One compares surgical techniques for the treatment of neuroma rather than its prevention. The other excludes digits with injuries located distal to the interphalangeal joints. Both studies focus on more complex surgical techniques. Given the extent of this problem, there has been recent innovation aimed at preventing neuroma formation. One promising product is the Tulavi Allay™ Nerve Cap, which has demonstrated encouraging results in basic science studies and anecdotally in early clinical use cases. In this study, the investigators have designed a prospective trial to assess the efficacy of the Tulavi Allay™ Nerve Cap when used to prevent symptomatic digital nerve neuroma following traumatic digital amputation.

This multicenter interventional study in Ukraine is designed to compare the effectiveness of cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation in managing neuroma-associated pain following combat-related trauma. Adult patients with clinically significant neuropathic pain caused by neuromas will be randomly assigned to receive either image-guided cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation of the affected nerve. Cryoablation uses controlled cold temperatures to temporarily disrupt nerve conduction, while radiofrequency ablation uses thermal energy to modulate nerve function. Both interventions are minimally invasive and performed under image guidance. The study will evaluate changes in pain intensity, opioid consumption, functional outcomes, and patient-reported measures at predefined time points following the procedure. This research aims to provide evidence on which intervention is more effective in reducing pain, improving function, and minimizing the need for opioid medications in patients with combat-related neuroma pain.

This study is being done to demonstrate the effectiveness of Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNI) surgery in treating symptomatic neuromas of the hand and digits following amputation compared to standard of care using a Prospective, Observational Trial