Diagnostic Genicular Nerve Block Prior to Radiofrequency Ablation for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Osteoarthritis, Knee, Pain, Nerve; Lesion
In brief
Chronic painful knee OA is a major cause of disability in older adults. In patients whose symptoms are refractory to conservative management but who do not wish to undergo TKA or, alternatively, are not operative candidates, genicular nerve RFA represents a promising treatment option. Investigators will determine if patients with chronic painful knee osteoarthritis experience meaningful and long-term improvement in pain, function, and analgesic use, as well as prevention of TKA after RFA of the genicular nerves. Investigators will also determine whether zero versus one set of diagnostic genicular nerve blocks Answering these questions will help determine if genicular nerve RFA is indeed a worthwhile treatment for chronic painful knee OA. Additionally, this will help determine the optimal diagnostic protocol for patient selection for this procedure, which has implications for improving treatment success rates, preventing unnecessary procedures, and decreasing healthcare cost savings.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT02578108
- Run by
- Northwestern University
- People needed
- 63
- Starts
- 2015-10-01
- Expected to finish
- 2018-09-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2019-08-21
Who can join
Age: 30 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- All patients ages 30-80 with chronic painful knee osteoarthritis who would undergo treatment by genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation.
- Knee pain for at least 6 months.
- Kellgren-Lawrence knee osteoarthritis of 2 or greater.
- Pain resistant to conventional therapy including NSAIDs, opioids, muscle relaxants, oral steroids, physical therapy, and intra-articular injection therapy.
- No pain referral beyond the expected distribution for knee osteoarthritis.
You may not qualify if…
- NRS pain score of 4 or more
- Focal neurologic signs or symptoms.
- Previous radiofrequency ablation treatment for similar symptoms.
- Intra-articular knee corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection in the past 3 months.
- Concomitant radicular pain.
- Previous knee surgery.
- Patient refusal.
- Lack of consent.
- Active systemic or local infections at the site of proposed needle and electrode placement.
- Coagulopathy or other bleeding disorder, current use of anticoagulants or anti-platelet medications.
- Allergy to medications being used for injection procedures (contrast, local anesthetic).
- Inability to read English, communicate with staff, or participate in follow-up.
- Pregnancy.
- Pacemaker.
- Cognitive deficit.
- Unstable medical or psychiatric illness.
Where it is running
- Northwestern University — Chicago, Illinois, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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