Knee cooled radiofrequency vs continuous radiofrequency for genicular neurotomy: preliminary experience - Crio-radiofrequenza vs radiofrequenza continua per neurotomia dei nervi genicolati: esperienza preliminare

Abstract

Radiofrequency neurotomy of genicular nerves has been often used as an efficacious treatment option in all patients suffering from chronic osteoarthritis pain to provide long-term pain relief. After providing informed written consent, 80 patients with severe knee chronic osteoarthritis pain had been enrolled; patients had been divided into two groups (Group C, crioneurolysis, vs Group R, traditional radiofrequency, 40 patients for each group). Pain relief in C group was poorer and with shorter time in duration (median NRS reducing from 8 to 5). Radiofrequency can be considered as an effective, minimally invasive treat­ment for these kinds of conditions, and offers the benefit of being a fast procedure with long-term pain relief.

Keywords

• chronic pain
• osteoarthritis (OA)
• NRS
• WOMAC
• knee
• cooled
• radiofrequency