Georgetown University researchers have presented compelling evidence that radiofrequency ablation performed on the knee nerve can meaningfully lessen pain for individuals dealing with knee osteoarthritis. This finding, shared at the annual meeting of the Society for Interventional Radiology, adds to a growing body of evidence about targeted nerve modulation as a noninvasive avenue for pain relief. The work underscores how a focused procedure, delivered with precision, can alter the pain signals that sufferers experience during daily activities, potentially improving overall function and quality of life for many patients who have limited options with conventional therapies.
The study reviewed outcomes from a cohort of 36 participants who underwent knee nerve radiofrequency ablation between February and August 2022. Each patient was followed for an average period of roughly 75 days, during which clinicians tracked pain intensity, functional capacity, and the need for additional pain medications. This timeframe allowed investigators to observe both the immediate effects of the procedure and the early trajectory of pain relief as the nervous system adjusted to the targeted intervention. The approach evaluated not only short-term relief but also the durability of benefit within the initial post-procedural period, providing a more complete picture of what patients might expect in the weeks following treatment.
Analyses revealed a notable reduction in pain severity as measured on the visual analog scale (VAS) after the procedure. The most pronounced benefits were observed among patients older than 50, suggesting that age-related factors related to pain processing or joint degeneration might influence treatment response. On average, VAS scores decreased from 8.58 before the intervention to 5.05 after the procedure, representing a meaningful improvement in perceived pain. Importantly, the researchers found that demographic and clinical characteristics such as gender, body mass index, history of prior knee surgery, and a history of fibromyalgia did not show a statistically significant impact on the pain outcomes observed, indicating a broad applicability of the technique across diverse patient subgroups.
These findings align with a broader clinical narrative about knee pain and its management in the United States, where estimates indicate that a substantial segment of adults experiences knee discomfort, with osteoarthritis as a common underlying cause. The study’s authors emphasize that radiofrequency ablation of the knee nerve can enable many people to resume daily activities that were previously limited by pain, improving mobility, independence, and overall well-being. While the results are promising, they are framed as part of an evolving field that continues to refine patient selection criteria, procedural parameters, and long-term outcomes. Ongoing research and extended follow-up will help determine the broader applicability, cost-effectiveness, and integration of this technique into standard care pathways for knee osteoarthritis. [Citation: Georgetown University study presented at the Society for Interventional Radiology meeting.]