Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Hydrodissection for Pain Management: Rationale, Methods, Current Literature, and Theoretical Mechanisms

Authors Lam KHS , Hung CY , Chiang YP , Onishi K, Su DCJ, Clark TB, Reeves KD 

Received 24 January 2020

Accepted for publication 7 July 2020

Published 4 August 2020 Volume 2020:13 Pages 1957—1968

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S247208

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3

Editor who approved publication: Dr Michael A Ueberall

https://www.dovepress.com/ultrasound-guided-nerve-hydrodissection-for-pain-management-rationale--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JPR

King Hei Stanley Lam,^1,2 Chen-Yu Hung,³ Yi-Pin Chiang,^4,5 Kentaro Onishi,⁶ Daniel Chiung Jui Su,⁷ Thomas B Clark,⁸ K Dean Reeves<sup>9

1</sup>The Hong Kong Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Hong Kong; ²Department of Family Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; ³Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; ⁴Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; ⁵Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; ⁶Department of PM&R and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; ⁷Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan; ⁸Private Practice Ultrasonographic Training, Vista, CA, USA; ⁹Private Practice PM&R and Pain Management, Roeland Park, KS, USA

Correspondence: King Hei Stanley Lam Tel +852 98761688
Fax +852 23720848
Email drlamkh@gmail.com

Abstract: Nerve hydrodissection (HD), a technique used when treating nerve entrapments, involves the injection of an anesthetic, saline, or 5% dextrose in water to separate the nerve from the surrounding tissue, fascia, or adjacent structures. Animal models suggest the potential for minimal compression to initiate and perpetuate neuropathic pain. Mechanical benefits of HD may relate to release of nervi nervorum or vasa nervorum compression. Pathologic nerves can be identified by examination or ultrasound visualization. The in-plane technique is the predominant and safest method for nerve HD. Five percent dextrose may be favored as the preferred injectate based on preliminary comparative-injectate literature, but additional research is critical. Literature-based hypotheses for a direct ameliorative effect of dextrose HD on neuropathic pain are presented.

Keywords: nerve hydrodissection, pain management, ultrasonography, neuropathic pain