Comparison of the Effectiveness of Conventional and Pulse Radiofrequency Therapy in Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis in Elderly Patients: An Observational Study

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common joint disease, causing pain and loss of function. Osteoarthritis, including knee OA, is a significant cause of morbidity and disability in older adults and negatively impacts the functionality of individuals over the age of 65. When non-invasive treatments such as medical therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation fail to provide adequate pain control, intra-articular injections, geniculate nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and surgical treatments are considered.

Genicular nerve blocks provide short-term pain relief in knee osteoarthritis . Despite various conservative treatments, many patients with chronic knee OA experience severe knee pain before total knee arthroplasty. Genicular nerve block (GNB) and radiofrequency ablation of the geniculate nerves have been shown to be effective in relieving pain and improving knee functionality in patients with chronic knee OA. Intra-articular corticosteroids are used in the treatment of knee OA to rapidly relieve pain, reduce pain within the first three months, and rapidly restore joint function . Both conventional and pulsed radiofrequency treatments have been effective in relieving pain and improving disability in patients with knee OA who have not responded to conservative treatment and have contraindications for surgery. Conventional radiofrequency therapy uses high-frequency alternating current to create thermal lesions. The thermal energy creates a zone of coagulative necrosis that includes the nerves that transmit and/or modulate pain sensation . In pulsed radiofrequency therapy, thermal tissue damage can be minimized by using pulsed high-voltage radiofrequency currents. This allows time for the heat to dissipate and generally maintains the tissue temperature near the electrode below the neurodestructive range. The mechanism by which pulsed radiofrequency provides clinical benefit is not fully understood. It appears to modulate signaling cascades, particularly in C fibers, without affecting nerve conduction in myelinated fibers . As an alternative to the thermal effects of conventional radiofrequency therapy, pulsed radiofrequency therapy has been noted to have fewer potential side effects .

In conclusion, the therapeutic effects of radiofrequency applications on improving pain and functional impairments due to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) have been demonstrated; however, the number of studies evaluating only elderly patients (aged 65 and over) is limited. Studies comparing conventional and pulsed radiofrequency treatments of the genicular nerves and evaluating their effects on geriatric parameters are limited. The primary objective of our study was to compare the effects of conventional and pulsed radiofrequency treatments of the genicular nerves under ultrasound guidance on knee pain and functional assessments in elderly patients, and the secondary objective was to determine their effects on geriatric assessments.