Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease complicated by pain and functional limitation. Newer pain-relieving interventions include pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), but studies on its efficacy have limitations including lack of control group and retrospective design that prevent sound conclusions. Materials & methods: We conducted a blind prospective randomized sham-controlled crossover pilot trial according to the CONSORT guidelines, to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided saphenous nerve PRF in gonarthritis pain. Results: Sixteen patients completed the study. Pain and function significantly improved after real PRF (numerical rating scale mean difference = 3.31), which was superior to sham PRF over time for pain (3 months) and function (6 months). Conclusion: PRF of the saphenous nerve is an alternative to relieve pain in gonarthritis. Our results provide data to support a sample size calculation for future trials. Clinical trial registration: NCT04454710.
Keywords: PRF; chronic pain; knee osteoarthritis; osteoarthritis; pulsed radiofrequency treatment; saphenous nerve.
Lay abstract Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease associated with severe pain and functional limitation. While treatment options exist to manage knee arthritis symptoms, few have achieved very good results. Newer pain-relieving treatments include pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), where electrical pulses are delivered to the painful nerves to change the way electrical signals are transmitted and reduce pain, but studies on its efficacy have limitations that prevent sound conclusions. Materials & methods: We conducted a study specifically designed to reveal efficacy of PRF over a sham (fake) treatment in patients affected by severe knee arthritis by targeting one single nerve involved in transmitting pain signals from the knee. Results: Pain and function significantly improved after real PRF, which was superior to sham PRF over time for pain (3 months) and function (6 months). Conclusion: PRF of the saphenous nerve is an alternative to relieve pain in knee arthritis.