Pulsed Radiofrequency of Genicular Nerves Guided by Ultrasound: Three Different Cases

• Autor(a) principal: Freitas Amorim, Ana Isabel
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Rocha Melo, Jorge, Bettencourt Abreu , João, Alves Caldeira , Marta Filipa
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.28049
• topic: Caso Clínico

Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability and pain. Conservative therapies have shown limited efficacy. Radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves has proven its effectiveness. Ultrasound is an alternative without radiation and with better visualization of the anatomy. Pulsed radiofrequency (PFR) is a safe option causing neuromodulation of sensitive fibres without nerve damage. Three patients with chronic knee pain and different unsuccessful treatments were submitted to ultrasound-guided PRF of genicular nerves.  The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) scores were assessed before and 30 days following the procedure. All patients had a reduction of perceived pain within 30-day reassessment showing improvement of 30-65% in WOMAC and 15-85% in BPI. The relief remained between 1.5 and 9 months, depending on the patient. The results suggest that PRF can be safe, effective and easy to apply in chronic knee pain, on an individual patient basis.