Outcome of PRP with Radiofrequency Ablation of Genicular Nerve for Grade III Knee Osteoarthritis

Afroza  Akter; Nasreen  Boby; Kazi Mahzabin  Arin; Md. Saidur Rahman  Khan; Md. Rasheduzzaman  Bhuiyan; Md Mostafa Kamal; AKM  Akhtaruzzaman

doi:10.62848/bjpain.v5i1.4650

Authors

Afroza Akter Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Pain, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka.
Nasreen Boby Anaesthesiologist, Department of Anaesthesia, Pain, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9642-0178
Kazi Mahzabin Arin Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0064-3847
Md. Saidur Rahman Khan Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka.
Md. Rasheduzzaman Bhuiyan Junior Consultanat, Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka.
Md Mostafa Kamal Assistant Professor (OSD), DGHS, MOHFW, Clinical Fellow, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4665-1904
AKM Akhtaruzzaman Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2427-1863

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62848/bjpain.v5i1.4650

Keywords:

Knee OA, Radio frequency ablation, Genicular nerve, Platelet-rich plasma

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in middle-aged and elderly patients. There are many non-surgical treatment modalities, including physical therapy and rehabilitation, NSAIDs, intra-articular steroids, hyaluronic acid and platelet rich plasma (PRP). Radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerve is a new and innovative treatment option for advanced knee OA that has the capacity to decrease pain, improve function, and improve quality of life. This study aimed to observe the outcome of PRP with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of genicular nerve in advanced knee OA.
Methods: This observational study was carried out at the Dhaka Pain Management and Research Centre. Patients with grade III osteoarthritis who received PRP with radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerve from January 2023 to December 2024 and completed 12 months of follow-up were included in this study. The primary outcome was to assess the intensity of pain by visual analog scale (VAS) before intervention, after one week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The secondary outcome was to assess functional capacity using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scale before intervention, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after intervention.
Results: A total of 50 patients were included in this study. The sociodemographic characteristics depicted that the mean age of the patients was 56.2±4.94 years, 36 (72%) patients were female, and the mean BMI was 25.4±2.35 kg/m2. The VAS score and IKDC score before the procedure were 6.60±0.70 and 34.02±4.52, respectively. After receiving PRP and RFA of the genicular nerve, reduction of pain intensity and improvement of functional status were observed. No complications were documented during and after interventions.
Conclusion: PRP with RFA of genicular nerve reduces pain intensity and improve functional status in patients with advanced knee OA. It could be a potential non-surgical alternative for the management of advance knee OA.