Pain Relief: Radiofrequency Treatment for Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
Patients suffering from knee pain due to osteoarthritis may now obtain relief through a non-surgical procedure called genicular nerve radiofrequency denervation.
Pain specialists offer this treatment for patients who have failed to obtain relief from medications, physical therapy, bracing and joint injections and cannot have knee replacement surgery, or if pain persists after knee replacement surgery.
In this procedure, a nerve block is performed with X-ray guidance to numb the genicular nerve branches, which carry pain signals from the affected knee joint. If this provides significant relief, the next step is to proceed with the radiofrequency ablation for longer-term relief. The relief lasts until the nerve branches regrow which can vary from several months to a year.
This minimally invasive option is especially helpful for patients who are not good surgical candidates for knee replacement due to age or medical conditions. The procedure is safe and effective and can be repeated if necessary when nerves regenerate and pain returns. It is also an option for patients who have persistent pain after knee replacement surgery.