Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves of knee for relief of intractable pain from knee osteoarthritis: a case series

Abstract

Introduction: The knee arthroplasty is the best option for patients with advanced osteoarthritis who have failed all other conservative options, but regrettably many patients fail to undergo surgery due to co-morbidities or other reasons. So, new alternative modes are always in demand for these patients. Methods: The ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of all the genicular nerves of knee joint was done in patients with grade III and IV osteoarthritis of knee joint, with severe pain (numerical rating scale (NRS) > 7) who had failed conservative management and intra-articular injections after a positive genicular nerve block with local anaesthetics. The demographics, pain intensity measured in NRS, Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and quality of life measured by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was measured at baseline and at regular intervals. Results: The average age of the patients was 61.50 ± 6.75 years. There was significant improvement in pain intensity at rest, movement and on weight bearing from 8.75 ± 0.5, 9.0 ± 0.0, and 9.0 ± 0.0 at baseline to 2.38 ± 0.51, 3.75 ± 0.46, and 4.13 ± 0.35 at 1 month and 3.13 ± 0.64, 4.38 ± 0.51, and 4.63 ± 0.51 at 6 months after the procedure, respectively (p value <0.05). The OKS had improved from 7.75 ± 1.25 at baseline to 28.88 ± 2.53 and 28.13 ± 1.80 at 1 and 6 months, respectively, after the procedure (p value <0.05). The WOMAC score had also improved significantly from 77.75 ± 4.34 at baseline to 38.38 ± 5.82 and 39.25 ± 5.12 at 1 and 6 months, respectively (p value <0.05). There was also significant improvement in the quality of life after the procedure (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided RFA of genicular nerves of knee joint is a good alternative option for patients who are having severe pain and disability from knee osteoarthritis and gives a long-lasting pain relief for more than 6 months.