Comparison of the efficacy of genicular nerve phenol neurolysis and radiofrequency ablation for pain management in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Genicular nerve neurolysis with phenol and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are two interventional techniques for treating chronic refractory knee osteoarthritis (KOA) pain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of both techniques. Sixty-four patients responding to diagnostic blockade of the superior medial, superior lateral, and inferior medial genicular nerve under ultrasound guidance were randomly divided into two groups: Group P (2 mL phenol for each genicular nerve) and Group R (RFA 80°C for 60 seconds for each genicular nerve). The numeric rating scale (NRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions.

采用苯酚行膝神经松解术与射频消融术（RFA）是治疗慢性难治性膝关节骨关节炎（KOA）疼痛的两种介入技术。本研究旨在对比两种术式的疗效与不良反应。本研究纳入64例在超声引导下接受膝上内侧、膝上外侧及膝下内侧神经诊断性阻滞有效的患者，将其随机分为两组：P组（每支膝神经注射2mL苯酚）与R组（每支膝神经行80℃、持续60秒的射频消融术）。研究采用数字疼痛评分量表（NRS）以及西部安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数（WOMAC）对两种干预措施的疗效进行评估。