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Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
Sponsor: Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona.
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if thermal radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves (the nerves that carry pain signals from the knee) works better than a single injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee to relieve pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis who have not improved with conservative treatment. The study also includes patients with severe knee osteoarthritis who are not candidates for knee replacement surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does genicular nerve radiofrequency reduce knee pain during movement more than hyaluronic acid over 12 months? * Does it improve knee function and quality of life, and does its effect last longer? Researchers will compare radiofrequency ablation with hyaluronic acid injection to see which treatment gives greater and longer-lasting pain relief. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. * If assigned to radiofrequency, first receive a diagnostic nerve block with local anesthetic. Only those whose pain decreases by at least 50% will then receive radiofrequency ablation, in a single ultrasound-guided session. * If assigned to hyaluronic acid, receive a single injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee. * Attend follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, where they will rate their pain and answer questionnaires about knee function, overall status and quality of life.
Official title: A Prospective Comparative Study of Conventional Conservative Treatment Versus Genicular Radiofrequency Ablation in Non-Surgical Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Thermal Radiofrequency of the Genicular Nerves Versus Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
70
Start Date
2026-10
Completion Date
2028-05
Last Updated
2026-10-28
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation of the Genicular Nerves
Ultrasound-guided thermal radiofrequency ablation (80 C, 90 seconds per nerve) of the superomedial, superolateral and inferomedial genicular nerves, performed only after a positive diagnostic block (\>=50% pain reduction within 4 hours after 1 ml of 1% lidocaine per nerve).
Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid
Single 6 ml intra-articular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid into the index knee.
Locations (1)
Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona
Tarragona, Tarragona, Spain