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Ultrasound-guided Radiofrequency Ablation of the Genicular Nerve Versus Physical Therapy for Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Physical Therapy With Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation of the Genicular Nerve in Patients With Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06173830
Enrollment
68
Registered
2023-12-18
Start date
2023-10-15
Completion date
2024-04-15
Last updated
2023-12-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis

Keywords

knee osteoarthritis, genicular nerve block, Ultrasound, radiofrequency, Chronic pain

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of conventional physiotherapy methods with ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerve on pain and functional status in patients with stage 2-3 chronic knee osteoarthritis.

Detailed description

Patients diagnosed with Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria, and with radiological osteoarthritis at Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2 and 3, within the age range of 45-70, and meeting the study criteria will be included in the study. After providing information about the procedures to be performed and potential risks to the patients, if they give their written informed consent, treatment methods will be applied to the patients. Eligible patients will be divided into two groups. In one group, Radiofrequency Ablation of the Genicular Nerve under Ultrasound Guidance will be performed, while the other group will receive physical therapy.

Interventions

OTHERradiofrequency ablation

34 patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis meeting the criteria will undergo ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerve.

OTHERphysical therapy

34 patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis meeting the criteria will undergo 10 sessions of physical therapy.

Sponsors

Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
45 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* VAS ≥ 5 * To be aged between 45 and 70 years old * Patients diagnosed with chronic knee osteoarthritis using the American College of Rheumatology criteria and having radiological osteoarthritis of Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 and 3 * Cognitive functions being intact * Being willing to participate in the study and signing the consent forms

Exclusion criteria

* Having received physical therapy for chronic knee osteoarthritis in the last 6 months * Having received glucocorticoid or hyaluronic acid injections in the last 6 months * Having taken oral glucosamine * Undergoing knee surgery * Having current neurological or mental disorders * History of pacemaker usage * Presence of local infections or sepsis * Progressive neurological deficit * Presence of oncological diseases * Hemorrhagic diathesis or anticoagulation * Uncontrolled diabetes or other serious internal comorbidities * Allergy to medications or materials used * Pregnancy * Lack of cooperation * Not willing to participate in the study.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)Before treatment (initial), after 2 weeks and 12 weeks changesScale. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is evaluated on a scale ranging from no pain to worst possible pain. The value of 0 (zero) indicates no pain, while the value of 10 (ten) indicates the most severe pain imaginable.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC)Before treatment (initial), after 2 weeks and 12 weeks changesQuestionnaire. The WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) test is a disease-specific, valid, and reliable measure for osteoarthritis, comprising 24 questions in three subcategories: pain, stiffness, and physical function. Each question is scored using the Likert scale as follows: 0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe, 4=very severe. Scores for each section are calculated independently, and the total score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate an increase in pain and stiffness, as well as a deterioration in physical function.
The 6-minute walk test (6MWT)Before treatment (initial), after 2 weeks and 12 weeks changesThe 6MWT is an assessment to measure the distance a person is capable of walking on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes. It is a useful test to measure the response of all the bodily systems that a person uses while exercising.
EuroQol scale (EQ-5D-3L)Before treatment (initial), after 2 weeks and 12 weeks changesQuestionnaire. The EuroQol (EQ) scale, developed by the EuroQol Group, is a general tool for measuring overall quality of life. The EQ-5D-3L (3-level version) is a widely used scale for assessing health status. The EQ-5D-3L consists of two main components: the EQ-5D descriptive system and the EQ visual analog scale (EQ VAS). In the first component, the EQ-5D descriptive system, health status is evaluated in five dimensions: Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort, Anxiety/Depression. Each dimension has three levels: 1=No problems, 2=Moderate problems, and 3=Severe problems. Combinations derived from these five dimensions create an index score to express individuals' overall health status. The second component is the visual analog scale (EQ VAS), where the patient self-assesses their health on a vertical visual analog scale with endpoints labeled 'Best imaginable health state=100' and 'Worst imaginable health state=0'.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

Primary ContactFatma Gül Yurdakul, Associate Professor (medical)
fatmagulonder@gmail.com+905059254214

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026