Summary

Radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves of the knee yields desirable outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that delivers targeted thermal damage to surrounding neural tissue, thereby disrupting the transmission of pain signals to provide pain relief. Duration of chronic pain relief provided by RFA has been reported to range from 3 to 12 or more months. While surgical modalities are present for knee osteoarthritis, some patients may not be eligible for surgery, resulting in the reliance of pharmaceutical analgesia for pain relief. Therefore, RFA presents an alternative nonpharmaceutical treatment option for knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the functional outcomes of RFA in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

A total of 32 consecutive patients with knee osteoarthritis who received RFA were available for data analyses. Preoperatively, patients completed assessment by physiotherapists whereby range of motion (ROM), Knee Society Clinical Rating Score (KSC), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF36) were obtained. Patients were re-assessed at postoperative 6 months and 24 months.

Results

Statistically significant improvement in KSC was noted at postoperative 6 months (19.0, P=0.001). Statistically significant improvement for SF36 was noted at both 6 months and 24 months (physical function at 24 months: 35.8, P<0.001; role physical at 24 months: 69.3, P<0.001); bodily pain at 24 months: 18.9, P<0.001; general health at 24 months: 21.3, P<0.001; social function at 6 months 27.7, P=0.001; overall total at 24 months: 14.9, P<0.001)

Conclusion

RFA can provide knee osteoarthritis patients with satisfactory short to long-term pain relief to allow participation in daily activities.