Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain, which limits a person’s mobility and self-sufficiency. The diagnosis is accompanied by frequent inability to work, in some cases leading to permanent disability.
In the joint pain treatment segment, we provide innovative minimally invasive heat and pulse radiofrequency treatment for knee pain in advanced osteoarthritis at EuroPainClinics. The goal is to reduce the intensity of pain that accompanies this diagnosis. Both procedures are gentle, efficient and can be performed simultaneously within the so-called dual therapy.
Pain relief
84% of patients treated with heat and pulse radiofrequency achieved at least 50% relief from knee pain three months after the procedure.
1 Gulec E, Ozbek H, Pektas S, Isik G.Bipolar Versus Unipolar Intraarticular Pulsed Radio equency Thermocoagulation in Chronic Knee Pain Treatment: A Prospective Randomized Trial. Pain Physician 2017 Mar, 20(3):197-206. ISSN 1533-3159
Radiofrequency neurotomy
Radiofrequency neurotomy procedure is one of the options for palliative pain modulation in patients with osteoarthritis who do not respond to conservative treatment or are at high risk during surgery, e.g. due to cardiovascular disease.
How does the procedure work?
During the procedure, two electrodes are placed in the area of the genicular nerves, with the active part of the electrode perpendicular to the nerve. The actual radio frequency power lasts for 90 seconds at a temperature of 82 ° C. The procedure is performed under the control of an X-ray or ultrasound (USG). Denervation is preceded by accurate diagnostic blockade of nerve structures.
- Safe, effective, minimally invasive method
- Outpatient procedure under light anesthesia
- Duration of the procedure up to 30 minutes
Bipolar intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency
We use the procedure to treat degenerative changes and inflammation (osteoarthritis) from the inside of the joint, which affects inflammation and reduces the intensity of pain.
How does the procedure work?
The procedure consists of transmitting short pulses (20 ms) with a frequency of 2 Hz from a radio frequency generator to neural structures. A long phase (420 ms) occurs between the signals, which ensures a temperature of 42 ° C.
- An effective, minimally invasive method
- Outpatient procedure under light anesthesia
- Duration of the performance up to 15 minutes
Diagnostic procedure
By injecting a local anesthetic near the three genicular (knee) nerves, we will determine whether the subsequent radiofrequency denervation will be sufficiently effective. The active substance causes short-term pain removal of the knee.
What happens after the procedure
- The patient stays in the resting room for the recommended time after the procedure and can then return home.
- Sick-leave is not required.
