Invasive radiofrequency treatment reduces knee pain says evidence review

Radiofrequency treatment significantly reduces the knee pain but rarely improves the knee joint function, a team reports in BioMed Research International.

Radiofrequency treatment is a procedure during which needles are inserted into the nerves that supply the affected joints. Radio waves are sent through the needles to heat the nerves, which stops them from sending pain signals.

An analysis of 12 trials involving over 840 people found that pain scores improved after radiofrequency after one week, one month and three months of treatment, but there was no corresponding improvement in knee function, particularly in women.

“Radiofrequency treatment significantly reduces knee pain, but rarely improves the knee joint function,” the authors explain. “Radiofrequency ablation has better efficacy than pulsed radiofrequency ablation in reducing pain.”

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