Successful relief of hip joint pain by percutaneous radiofrequency nerve thermocoagulation in a patient with contraindications for hip arthroplasty.

Abstract

and groin for years. She experienced gradually worsening pain in the inguinal, thigh, and hip area to the level that she could not walk, sit, take care of herself at home, and sleep well. She was only able to ambulate with a wheelchair. The pain was constant, severe, sharp, and deep in her thigh, groin, and hip. It radiated to the left anterior knee at times. Past conservative drug therapy had failed. Hip arthroplasty was contraindicated because of the presence of severe lymphedema and the high risk of infection. The hip x-ray indicated severe bilateral hip joint destruction. MRI of pelvis also indicated severe bilateral hip joint degeneration and destruction.