Treating Chronic Testicular and Groin Pain
For far too long, men have suffered with chronic pain in the groin and testicular areas without an answer as to why or a plan for treatment. Dr. Sijo Parekattil, Medical Director of Avant Concierge Urology, was a driving force behind a study into the causes of groin pain and the ways in which it could be treated. In the study, it was found that more than 80% of the men studied who were experiencing groin pain had some changes in three specific nerve bundles of their spermatic cords.
In order to treat this nerve-related cause of the pain, Avant Concierge Urology offers a number of options for patients who want to minimize downtime while also experiencing long-term relief from chronic testicular and groin pain. Before pursuing any of the specific options, however, Avant recommends patients undergo a procedure in which targeted blocks are placed at these nerves, proving that there is – in fact – a nerve problem.
Once that is established, the first treatment option offered at Avant is denervation of the spermatic cord. Avant Concierge Urology has partnered with KARL STORZ to develop the first microsurgical suite in the country with high-definition digital microscopy, in order that patients can undergo the denervation procedure in the office under IV sedation, a feat that has never been done before in an office setting. This outpatient procedure allows the patient to walk in, undergo the procedure which lasts less than an hour, and then walk out the same day with very minimal downtime. Dr. Parekattil has performed upwards of 2,500 of these procedures, with an overall success rate of approximately 85%.
If patients are still experiencing groin or testicular pain following that procedure, Avant Concierge Urology also offers targeted cryoablation of the peri-cord area. This is another quick outpatient procedure – taking approximately 30 minutes – that is done under IV sedation and has a 70% success rate.
Finally, if both the options above haven’t successfully removed the pain for the patient, Avant offers an additional procedure in which the medical team can insert blocks of Botox. Avant is also one of the first urology practices in the country to offer XoGlo®, which is an injectable growth factor that essentially inserts healing agents directly into the body to help heal the nerves causing the pain. Again, this option offers patients an additional 60 – 70% success rate.
At the end of the day, the medical team at Avant Concierge Urology is concerned about how to best ensure pain is mitigated for patients, which is why the center offers an array of minimally invasive options to treat chronic testicular and groin pain.
The following video dives deeper into each of these therapies. If you’d like to learn more about which might be the right option to relieve your chronic testicular or groin pain, reach out to Dr. Parekattil and the team at Avant Concierge Urology to request an appointment today.