Abstract
Background/aim The aim of this study was to investigate the medium- to long-term effects of radiofrequency (RF) ablation of genicular nerves for chronic refractory knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA).Materials and methodsForty-eight patients who underwent RF ablation of the genicular nerves were evaluated retrospectively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC index), opioid and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use score, quality of life score, and treatment satisfaction score were examined at 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure.ResultsThe mean VAS scores were significantly lower at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month evaluations compared with the preoperative values (P < 0.001). A significant decrease was observed in the WOMAC index compared with preoperative values (P < 0.001). It was found that 66.7% of opioid users and 56.3% of NSAID users stopped using medication. No serious complications were encountered during or after the procedure. Conclusion In chronic refractory knee pain due to OA, the application of RF ablation to the genicular nerve is an effective and safe treatment option in the medium to long term.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a noninflammatory chronic degenerative disease characterized by progressive cartilage damage, osteophyte formation, and subchondral sclerosis
The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly lower at the 1, 3, and 6-month evaluations compared with the preoperative values (P < 0.001)
A significant decrease was observed in the WOMAC index compared with preoperative values (P < 0.001)
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a noninflammatory chronic degenerative disease characterized by progressive cartilage damage, osteophyte formation, and subchondral sclerosis. Knee OA is one of the most common joint diseases occurring in adults, and with increases in mean duration of life and obesity, it has become an important health problem all over the world [1,2]. The most important risk factor is age, and the prevalence of OA is as high as 40% in the population aged 70–75 years [3]. In elderly populations in particular, it is among the leading causes of pain, physical disability, and functional limitations. As there is no curative treatment for OA, the current treatment approach is to increase quality of life via patient exercise training and pain control, decreasing physical and functional impairment and disability, and preventing the progression of the disease. Various treatment modalities that are conservative or surgical are employed [4].
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