Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Genicular Nerves for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Protocol for Patient Selection and Case Series
| Author | Rajiv D. Reddy | en |
| Author | Zachary L. McCormick | en |
| Author | Ben Marshall | en |
| Author | Ryan Mattie | en |
| Author | David R. Walega | en |
| Issued Date | 2016-12-01 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis (OA) is common in the aging and the obese population. Radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves has been introduced as a potential surgery-sparing treatment for chronic knee pain from OA, yet only two outcome studies have been published and optimal patient selection for this procedure has not been established. Objectives: We describe a standardized protocol for selecting patients for cooled radiofrequency ablation (C-RFA) of the genicular nerves, as well as the clinical outcomes of four patients ages 63-65 years. Methods: The threshold for selection based on diagnostic genicular nerve block was ≥ 80% pain reduction. Following successful block, C-RFA of the genicular nerves was performed. Outcomes included pain, function, analgesic medication use, opioid use, and progression to total knee arthroplasty at a minimum of 6 month follow up. Results: C-RFA of the genicular nerves after using the described selection protocol resulted in > 90% pain reduction, improved function and avoidance of surgery at 6 months in all four cases. All opioid and analgesic medication use decreased or was unchanged in all cases. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: The accompanying case series suggests that this protocol is deserving of randomized, prospective study. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/aapm.39696 | en |
| Keyword | Osteoarthritis | en |
| Keyword | Knee | en |
| Keyword | Chronic Pain | en |
| Keyword | Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation | en |
| Keyword | Outcome Assessment (Health Care) | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Genicular Nerves for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Protocol for Patient Selection and Case Series | en |
| Type | Brief Report | en |