Management of uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty chronic pain and stiffness utilizing cooled radiofrequency ablation: a single institution pilot study

Cooled radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves for knee osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal condition that significantly affects the quality of life of millions of individuals worldwide. In recent years, cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) has become a viable treatment option for knee OA. This review thoroughly evaluated the existing literature on CRFA therapy for knee OA. It delved into the mechanisms behind CRFA, evaluated its clinical efficacy, and investigated potential avenues for future research and application. The insights gained from this review are crucial for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, offering an updated perspective on CRFA's role as a viable therapeutic option for knee OA.

Image-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation for Joint and Back Pain: Rationales, Techniques, and Results

Image-guided minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of sensory nerves has emerged as a treatment option for pain and swelling associated with advanced symptomatic joint and spine degeneration to bridge the gap between optimal medical therapy and surgical treatments. RFA of articular sensory nerves and the basivertebral nerve use image-guided percutaneous approaches resulting in faster recovery time and minimal risks. The current published evidence indicates clinical effectiveness; however, further research must be performed comparing other conservative treatments with RFA to understand further its role in different clinical settings, such as osteonecrosis. This review article discusses and illustrates the applications of RFA for treating symptomatic joint and spine degeneration.

Can ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves of the knee, be performed without locating corresponding arterial pulsations-a cadaveric study

INTRODUCTION

Given the rising prevalence of knee osteoarthritis, radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves (RFA) has emerged as a promising treatment option for knee pain. The knee has an extremely complex and variable innervation with nearly 13 genicular nerves described. The frequently ablated genicular nerves are the superomedial (SMGN), the superolateral (SLGN), and the inferomedial (IMGN) genicular nerves. Conventionally, under ultrasound guidance, these nerves are ablated near the corresponding arterial pulsations, but due to the rich vascular anastomosis around the knee joint, identifying the arteries corresponding to these constant genicular nerves can be tedious unless guided by some bony landmarks. In this study, we have evaluated whether it is possible to accurately target these three genicular nerves by just locating bony landmarks under ultrasound in human cadaveric knee specimens.

METHODS

Fifteen formalin-fixed cadaveric knee specimens were studied. SMGN was targeted 1 cm anterior to the adductor tubercle in the axial view. For SLGN, in the coronal view, the junction of the lateral femoral condyle and shaft was identified, and at the same level in the axial view, the crest between the lateral and posterior femoral cortex was targeted. For IMGN in the coronal view, the midpoint between the most prominent part of the medial tibial condyle and the insertion of the deep fibers of the medial collateral ligament was marked. The medial end of the medial tibial cortex was then targeted at the same level in the axial view. The needle was inserted from anterior to posterior, with an in-plane approach for all nerves. Eosin, 2% W/V, in 0.1 ml was injected. Microdissection was done while keeping the needle in situ. Staining of the nerve was considered a positive outcome, and the percentage was calculated. The nerve-to-needle distance was measured, and the mean with an interquartile range was calculated.

RESULT

The accuracies of ultrasound-guided bony landmarks of SMGN, SLGN, and IMGN were 100% in terms of staining, with average nerve-to-needle distances of 1.67, 3.2, and 1.8 mm respectively.

CONCLUSION

It is with 100% accuracy, that we can perform RFA of SMGN, SLGN, and IMGN under ultrasound guidance, by locating the aforementioned bony landmarks.

Review of cooled radiofrequency ablation utilization for the treatment of symptomatic advanced knee arthritis and total knee arthroplasty

Degenerative knee osteoarthritis is a progressive debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Most patients experience limited range of motion, inflammation, swelling, and pain. Management options can lead to short- and long-term pain relief. Short-term pain relief usually involves conservative medical treatments such as NSAIDs, weight loss, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections. The ultimate long-term pain relief treatment method involves total knee arthroplasty. The treatment algorithm for knee OA also includes managing pain until a patient is eligible for arthroplasty. Furthermore, about 20% of patients experience chronic pain after TKA without complications such as hardware loosening and infection with limited treatment options. The pathophysiology of this is unknown. Cooled radiofrequency ablation has been demonstrated to be clinically effective by disrupting the integrity of deep sensory nerves and hence interfering with transmission of pain signal. The analgesic effect after c-RFA has been reported up to 24 months. Here, we present an overview of the clinical application of cooled radiofrequency ablation and a summary of its effectiveness in the treatment of pain in the setting of advanced OA and symptomatic TKA.

Pilot study for treatment of symptomatic shoulder arthritis utilizing cooled radiofrequency ablation: a novel technique

OBJECTIVE

To introduce cooled radiofrequency nerve ablation (C-RFA) as an alternative to managing symptomatically moderate to severe glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) in patients who have failed other conservative treatments and who are not surgical candidates or refuse surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective pilot study includes a total of 12 patients experiencing chronic shoulder pain from moderate to severe glenohumeral OA. Patients underwent anesthetic blocks of the axillary, lateral pectoral, and suprascapular nerves to determine candidacy for C-RFA treatment. Adequate response after anesthetic block was over 50% immediate pain relief. Once patients were deemed candidates, they underwent C-RFA of the three nerves 2-3 weeks later. Treatment response was evaluated using the clinically validated American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and visual analog scale (VAS) to assess pain, stiffness, and functional activities of daily living. Follow-up outcome scores were collected up to 6 months after C-RFA procedure.

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent C-RFA procedure for shoulder OA. VAS scores significantly improved from 8.8 ± 0.6 to 2.2 ± 0.4 6 months after the C-RFA treatment (p < 0.001). Patient's ASES score results significantly improved in total ASES from 17.2 ± 6.6 to 65.7 ± 5.9 (p < 0.0005). No major complications arose. No patients received re-treatment or underwent shoulder arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

Image-guided axillary, lateral pectoral, and suprascapular nerve C-RFA has minimal complications and is a promising alternative to treat chronic shoulder pain and stiffness from glenohumeral arthritis.