Coolief Cooled Radiofrequency vs. Conventional Radiofrequency to Manage OA Knee Pain

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Osteoarthritis of the Knee
• Interventions: Device: Cooled Radiofrequency; Device: Standard Radiofrequency

• Registration Number: NCT04145011
• Lead Sponsor: Avanos Medical

Brief Summary

This study is being performed to assess the relative effectiveness of genicular nerve ablation with the COOLIEF\* Cooled Radiofrequency probe to manage moderate to severe knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee when compared to radiofrequency ablation using a Standard Radiofrequency probe.

Detailed Description

This is a prospective, multi-center, randomized, single-blind comparison study examining the outcomes of subjects with osteoarthritic knee pain undergoing a procedure to create a radiofrequency lesion of the genicular nerves with either Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation (CRFA) or Conventional (Standard) Radiofrequency Ablation (SRFA). Approximately 148 participants from up to 15 sites will be enrolled into this study, with subjects undergoing either CRFA or SRFA in a 1:1 randomization scheme. Follow-up will be conducted for 24 months post-treatment, with the primary endpoint being completed at month 12. Pain, overall outcome, quality of life, pain medication use, and adverse events will be compared between the two treatment groups to determine success.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-10-04
• Study First Submitted: 2019-10-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-10-28
• Study First Posted: 2019-10-30
• Primary Completion: 2021-10-29
• Study Completion: 2022-10-10
• Status Verified: 2023-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-08-07
• Last Update Posted: 2023-08-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 153

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age ≥ 21 years
2. Able to understand and personally sign and date the informed consent form
3. Able to complete outcome measures
4. Chronic knee pain for longer than 6 months that interferes with functional activities (for example, ambulation, prolonged standing, etc.)
5. Continued pain in the target knee despite at least 3 months of conservative treatments, including activity modification, home exercise, protective weight bearing, and/or analgesics (for example, acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs])
6. Positive response (defined as a decrease in numeric pain scores of at least 50%) to a single genicular nerve block of the index knee
7. Pain on NRS ≥ 6 on an 11-point scale for the index knee
8. Radiologic confirmation of osteoarthritis (x-ray/MRI/CT) grade 2 (mild), 3 (moderate) or 4 (severe) noted within 6 months for the index knee
9. Analgesics including membrane stabilizers such as Neurontin (gabapentin) and antidepressants for pain, such as Cymbalta (duloxetine), must be clinically stable (defined as stable dosage for ≥ 6 weeks prior to the screening visit) and shall not change during the course of the study without approval of the investigator
10. Agree to see one physician (study physician) for knee pain during the study period
11. Subjects of child bearing potential must be willing to utilize double barrier contraceptive method
12. Willingness to comply with the requirements of this protocol for the full duration of the study (24 months regardless of effect of initial therapy)

Exclusion Criteria

1. Evidence of inflammatory arthritis (example, rheumatoid arthritis) or other systemic inflammatory condition (example; gout, fibromyalgia, MS, Lupus, etc.) that could cause knee pain
2. Evidence of neuropathic pain affecting the index knee
3. Previous or pending lower limb amputation
4. Intra-articular steroid injection into the index knee within 90 days from randomization
5. Hyaluronic acid injection, platelet rich plasma (PRP), stem cell, or arthroscopic debridement/lavage injection into the index knee within 180 days from randomization
6. Prior radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves of the index knee
7. Prior partial, resurfacing, or total knee arthroplasty of the index knee (residual hardware)
8. Clinically significant ligamentous laxity of the index knee
9. Clinically significant valgus/varus deformities or evidence of pathology (other than osteoarthritis of knee) that materially affects gait or function of the knee or is the underlying cause of the knee pain and/or functional limitations
10. Body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2
11. Extremely thin patients and those with minimal subcutaneous tissue thickness that would not accommodate a radiofrequency lesion of up to 14 mm in diameter to limit the risk of skin burns
12. Pending or active compensation claim, litigation, or disability remuneration (secondary gain)
13. Pregnant, nursing or intent of becoming pregnant during the study period
14. Chronic pain associated with significant psychosocial dysfunction
15. Poorly controlled severe psychiatric illness or ongoing psychological barriers to recovery, as determined by the investigator
16. Allergies to any of the medications to be used during the procedures
17. Active joint infection or systemic or localized infection at needle entry sites (subject may be considered for inclusion once infection is resolved)
18. History of uncontrolled coagulopathy, ongoing coagulation treatment that cannot be safely interrupted for procedure, or unexplained or uncontrollable bleeding that is uncorrectable
19. Identifiable anatomical variability that would materially alter the procedure as described in the protocol
20. Within the preceding 2 years, subject has suffered from active narcotic addiction, substance, or alcohol abuse
21. Current prescribed opioid medications greater than 60 mg morphine equivalent daily opioid dose
22. Uncontrolled immunosuppression (e.g. AIDS, cancer, diabetes, etc.)
23. Subject currently implanted with pacemaker, stimulator or defibrillator
24. Participating in another clinical trial/investigation which included therapeutic treatment within 30 days prior to signing informed consent
25. Subject unwilling or unable to comply with follow up schedule, protocol requirements or procedures

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
COOLIEF Cooled Radiofrequency Probe	Cooled Radiofrequency	Cooled radiofrequency energy will be delivered to the study subjects' knee to ablate culprit sensory nerves and reduce knee pain
Conventional (Standard) Radiofrequency Probe	Standard Radiofrequency	Standard (non-cooled) radiofrequency energy will be delivered to the study subjects' knee to ablate culprit sensory nerves and reduce knee pain

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)	12 months	The proportion of subjects whose knee pain is reduced by ≥ 50% based on the NRS. The NRS is an 11-point scale (0 points to 10 points), where 0 points equals "no pain" and 10 points equals "worst pain". There are no sub-scales.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS, JR)	12 months	The change in KOOS JR score from baseline. The KOOS JR is a short form of the KOOS that assesses patient stiffness (1 item), pain (4 items), and functions of daily living (2 items). Scores range from 0 to 100 with a score of 0 indicating total knee disability and 100 indicating perfect knee health.
EQ-5D-5L	12 months	The change in measured EQ-5D-5L scale from baseline. This outcome instrument is composed of five sub-scales containing five questions each. The point range for each sub-scale is from 1 to 5, with "1" indicating the best study subject condition and "5" indicating the worst study subject condition. Thus, the minimum and maximum scores per sub-scale are 1 and 5, respectively, and such scores for the entire instrument are 5 (best study subject condition) and 25 (worst study subject condition). The sub-scale topics are: Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression
Global Perceived Effect (GPE)	12 months	The measured Global Perceived Effect scale. The Global Perceived Effect is a 7-point scale: 1 point = "worst ever", 2 points = "much worse", 3 points = "worse", 4 points = "not improved but not worse", 5 points = "improved", 6 points = "much improved", 7 points = "best ever". There are no sub-scales.
Additional Interventions	12 months	The proportion of subjects requiring additional intervention for their OA knee pain.

Trial Locations

Locations (6)

Pain Diagnostics and Interventional Care; 🇺🇸 Sewickley, Pennsylvania, United States

Piedmont Comprehensive Pain Management; 🇺🇸 Anderson, South Carolina, United States

University of Utah; 🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

University Orthopedics Center; 🇺🇸 State College, Pennsylvania, United States

The Spine and Nerve Centers of St. Francis Hosptial; 🇺🇸 Charleston, West Virginia, United States

University of Virginia; 🇺🇸 Charlottesville, Virginia, United States