Ultrasound-guided thermal radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves after total knee replacement

• Published in: Orthopaedics & traumatology, surgery & research Vol. 110; no. 7; p. 103858
• Main Authors: Froidefond, Pablo, Nasso, Valerio, Petitgenet, Edgar, Sawasdee, Nathawoot, Cavaignac, Etienne, Faruch Bilfeld, Marie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Chronic Pain - etiology; Chronic Pain - surgery; Female; Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation; Humans; Male; Minimally invasive interventional analgesia; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative - etiology; Painful total knee replacement; Radiofrequency Ablation - adverse effects; Radiofrequency Ablation - methods; Refractory chronic pain; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Ultrasound; Minimally invasive interventional analgesia; Refractory chronic pain; Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation; Ultrasound; Painful total knee replacement
• ISSN: 1877-0568; 1877-0568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2024.103858

The rate of refractory chronic pain after total knee replacement (TKR) is 20–25%, with no identifiable etiology in 6% of cases. Without an etiologic diagnosis, the surgeon is unlikely to consider revision, but pain poses a therapeutic challenge for achieving satisfaction and an acceptable quality of life. Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (GNRFA) was recently developed as a non-drug analgesic option. It is minimally invasive and safe, with few adverse effects, opening a new perspective for management of refractory chronic pain after TKR. IV.