US Patent 7250046 Treatment of lower extremity pain

A method of treatment of lower extremity body pain is described comprising freezing a portion of the lower extremity, for example, for cryoanalgesia. In one form, a method of treating a Morton's neuroma comprises freezing the neuroma in the foot. In another preferred form, a method of treating plantar fasciitis comprises freezing a tissue portion in or adjacent to the foot. The methods include inserting a cryogenic probe through a skin surface for percutaneous access to a region for cryoanalgesia, and operating the probe to provide one or more successive freeze cycles.