The Effect of Intra-articular Pulsed Radiofrequency in Osteoarthritis

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is designed to alleviate pain by delivering an electrical field and heat bursts at a temperature less than 42°C to neural tissue. In contrast with conventional radiofrequency, PRF is controlled below 42°C without damage to nerves and many studies have shown its benefits in pain relief for certain kinds of chronic pain conditions. For lessening pain of certain joint arthropathy, the direct nerve block by application of PRF is difficult and complicated because the supplying nerve of joint is complex or small. Hence, some authors perform intra-articular PRF on the chronic painful joint for example, knee osteoarthritis, atlantoaxial joint, cervical facet joint sacroiliac joint, scapholunate and shoulder joint and the excellent long-term effects are reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of intra-articular PRF in osteoarthritis.

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is designed to alleviate pain by delivering an electrical field and heat bursts at a temperature less than 42°C to neural tissue. In contrast with conventional radiofrequency, PRF is controlled below 42°C without damage to nerves and many studies have shown its benefits in pain relief for certain kinds of chronic pain conditions. For lessening pain of certain joint arthropathy, the direct nerve block by application of PRF is difficult and complicated because the supplying nerve of joint is complex or small. Hence, some authors perform intra-articular PRF on the chronic painful joint for example, knee osteoarthritis, atlantoaxial joint, cervical facet joint sacroiliac joint, scapholunate and shoulder joint and the excellent long-term effects are reported. However, the definite effect of intra-articular PRF for osteoarthritis from current published studies are insufficiently proved because of small patient numbers and lack of placebo-controlled design. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of intra-articular PRF in osteoarthritis.

Sham intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency (Neurotherm NT1000, Neurotherm Inc., USA) in controlled joint

Using the Visual analog scale (VAS) to measure the pain scale before treatment and multiple time frame after treatment.

Change from baseline in severity of symptoms and functional status on1st, 2th, 4th, 8th,12th and 16th weeks after treatment.

Use the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) to measure the symptoms and functional status before treatment and multiple time frame after treatment.

Use the isokinetic machine to measure the ROM before treatment and multiple time frame after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria: Age between 30-75 year-old Clear consciousness No receive steroid injection, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma in past 6 months The pain (VAS) more than 4 Symptom duration at least 6 months Exclusion Criteria: Cancer Joint contracture Coagulopathy Pregnancy Status of Pacemaker Inflammation status Operative history of treated joint

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