400 Section - The Impact of Cryoneurolysis on Hamstring Spasticity

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

SF

Simon d. Funk, n/a

Research Assistant
Island Health
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Co-Author/Coautor(s)

Mahdis Hashemi, MD

Researcher
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
SH

Samuel Herzog, n/a

Research Assistant
Island Health
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
DG

Daniel Gatenby, BS

Research Assistant
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Paul J. Winston, MD

Physiatrist and Researcher
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Objectives : To investigate the impact of cryoneurolysis, a minimally invasive percutaneous intervention where secondary axonotmesis is selectively induced through freezing, on patients with hamstring spasticity.

Design: This study is a retrospective chart review of 26 patients with spastic hamstrings. The assessments completed were: the maximum active range of motion (AROM), maximum passive range of motion (V1), the end point reached when moving the limb at its maximal velocity (V3), and tone based on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). All measures were taken for knee extension with the hip flexed to 90 degrees. Baseline measurements were taken before the procedure, and follow-up measurements were completed at consistent intervals for up to 3 years.

Results: V1 was found to significantly increase at the six-month follow-up relative to baseline, with the largest increase being 45 degrees. Additionally, some participants exhibited improved V1 up to 2 years after treatment.

Conclusion: This study suggests that cryoneurolysis can be an effective treatment for hamstring spasticity, particularly by increasing V1. Improvements like these impact the lives of patients and lessen caregiver load by making washing, dressing, transfers, and positioning the affected limb less challenging and increasing comfort for the patient. Further studies where follow up measurements with sufficient sample sizes are less temporally removed from the intervention are required to assess the clinical scope of cryoneurolysis as a treatment for hamstring spasticity.