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Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain (RF-PROSPECTIU)

11 listopada 2026 zaktualizowane przez: Laura Pallarès Valls, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona.

A Prospective Comparative Study of Conventional Conservative Treatment Versus Genicular Radiofrequency Ablation in Non-Surgical Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Thermal Radiofrequency of the Genicular Nerves Versus Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if thermal radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves (the nerves that carry pain signals from the knee) works better than a single injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee to relieve pain in adults with knee osteoarthritis who have not improved with conservative treatment. The study also includes patients with severe knee osteoarthritis who are not candidates for knee replacement surgery.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does genicular nerve radiofrequency reduce knee pain during movement more than hyaluronic acid over 12 months?
  • Does it improve knee function and quality of life, and does its effect last longer?

Researchers will compare radiofrequency ablation with hyaluronic acid injection to see which treatment gives greater and longer-lasting pain relief.

Participants will:

  • Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatments.
  • If assigned to radiofrequency, first receive a diagnostic nerve block with local anesthetic. Only those whose pain decreases by at least 50% will then receive radiofrequency ablation, in a single ultrasound-guided session.
  • If assigned to hyaluronic acid, receive a single injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee.
  • Attend follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, where they will rate their pain and answer questionnaires about knee function, overall status and quality of life.

Przegląd badań

Status

Jeszcze nie rekrutacja

Warunki

Interwencja / Leczenie

Szczegółowy opis

Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability. Conventional conservative treatments, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and intra-articular hyaluronic acid, provide partial and time-limited relief. Thermal radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves is a minimally invasive technique that interrupts pain transmission from the knee joint. Most published studies have short follow-up (3-6 months), and evidence is scarce in patients with advanced osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade IV) who are not candidates for total knee arthroplasty because of severe comorbidity, morbid obesity or a documented multidisciplinary decision.

Design: single-center, randomized, parallel-group (1:1) controlled trial conducted at Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona (Spain). Patients and clinicians are not blinded; the outcome assessor and the statistician are blinded to treatment allocation.

Randomization: computer-generated sequence (sealedenvelope.com) with variable block sizes, stratified by Kellgren-Lawrence grade (II-III vs IV) and body mass index (<40 vs >=40 kg/m2).

Interventions: in the radiofrequency group, an ultrasound-guided diagnostic block of the superomedial, superolateral and inferomedial genicular nerves (1 ml of 1% lidocaine per nerve) is performed first. Patients with at least 50% pain reduction within 4 hours undergo ultrasound-guided thermal radiofrequency ablation of the same nerves (80 C for 90 seconds per nerve). Patients with a negative block do not receive radiofrequency, are withdrawn from the study and are reported in the CONSORT flow diagram. In the hyaluronic acid group, patients receive a single 6 ml intra-articular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (hylan G-F 20 or similar).

Sample size: 25 patients per group are required to detect a minimal clinically important difference of 2 points in the visual analogue scale (standard deviation 2.5, power 80%, two-sided alpha 0.05). Allowing for 20% losses over 12 months, 35 patients per group (70 in total) will be included.

A pre-specified subgroup analysis will compare treatment response in Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III versus grade IV patients, and according to comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index) and body mass index. Health-related quality of life data will be collected for a potential cost-effectiveness analysis.

Typ studiów

Interwencyjne

Zapisy (Szacowany)

70

Faza

  • Nie dotyczy

Kontakty i lokalizacje

Ta sekcja zawiera dane kontaktowe osób prowadzących badanie oraz informacje o tym, gdzie badanie jest przeprowadzane.

Kontakt w sprawie studiów

Kopia zapasowa kontaktu do badania

Lokalizacje studiów

  • Hiszpania
    • Tarragona
      • Tarragona, Tarragona, Hiszpania, 43005
        • Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona
        • Kontakt:

Kryteria uczestnictwa

Badacze szukają osób, które pasują do określonego opisu, zwanego kryteriami kwalifikacyjnymi. Niektóre przykłady tych kryteriów to ogólny stan zdrowia danej osoby lub wcześniejsze leczenie.

Kryteria kwalifikacji

Wiek uprawniający do nauki

18 lat i starsze (Dorosły, Starszy dorosły)

Akceptuje zdrowych ochotników

Nie

Płeć kwalifikująca się do nauki

Wszystko

Opis

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults (18 years or older) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis of more than 6 months' duration.
  • Pain during movement >4 on a 0-10 visual analogue scale.
  • Failure of conservative treatment: pain during movement >4 despite at least 3 months of NSAIDs and/or rehabilitation (physical therapy), documented in the medical record. Patients with a documented contraindication to NSAIDs may be included if they have undergone rehabilitation.
  • Radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III, or
  • Kellgren-Lawrence grade IV in patients who are not candidates for total knee arthroplasty because of at least one of the following: body mass index >39.9 kg/m2; Charlson Comorbidity Index >=5 (original, not age-adjusted); or a documented multidisciplinary decision of the Orthopaedic Surgery Department.
  • Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Acute or chronic knee joint infection.
  • Intra-articular hyaluronic acid or corticosteroid injection in the previous 6 months.
  • Coagulopathy or anticoagulant treatment that does not allow a safe therapeutic window for the procedure.
  • Major lower limb surgery in the previous 6 months that may affect function or pain of the index knee (including contralateral total or partial knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty, or tibial or femoral osteotomy).
  • Cardiac pacemaker or metallic implant (contraindication for radiofrequency).
  • Known allergy to hyaluronic acid.
  • Severe dementia.
  • Institutionalized patients.
  • Decompensated systemic disease.
  • Active neurological or inflammatory rheumatological disease.
  • Terminal oncological disease.
  • Inability to understand the study questionnaires.
  • Radiofrequency arm only: negative diagnostic genicular nerve block (<50% pain reduction within 4 hours).

Plan studiów

Ta sekcja zawiera szczegółowe informacje na temat planu badania, w tym sposób zaprojektowania badania i jego pomiary.

Jak projektuje się badanie?

Szczegóły projektu

  • Główny cel: Leczenie
  • Przydział: Randomizowane
  • Model interwencyjny: Przydział równoległy
  • Maskowanie: Pojedynczy

Broń i interwencje

Grupa uczestników / Arm
Interwencja / Leczenie
Eksperymentalny: Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation

Ultrasound-guided diagnostic block of the superomedial, superolateral and inferomedial genicular nerves with 1 ml of 1% lidocaine per nerve. Participants with at least 50% pain reduction within 4 hours undergo ultrasound-guided thermal radiofrequency ablation of the same three nerves (80 C for 90 seconds per nerve) in a single session. Participants with a negative block do not receive radiofrequency and are withdrawn from the study.
Procedura: Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation of the Genicular Nerves

Ultrasound-guided thermal radiofrequency ablation (80 C, 90 seconds per nerve) of the superomedial, superolateral and inferomedial genicular nerves, performed only after a positive diagnostic block (>=50% pain reduction within 4 hours after 1 ml of 1% lidocaine per nerve).
Aktywny komparator: Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid

Single intra-articular injection of 6 ml of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (hylan G-F 20, Synvisc-One, or similar) into the index knee.
Urządzenie: Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid

Single 6 ml intra-articular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid into the index knee.

Co mierzy badanie?

Podstawowe miary wyniku

Miara wyniku
Opis środka
Ramy czasowe
Change in Knee Pain During Movement (Visual Analogue Scale)
Ramy czasowe: Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Pain during movement (walking or climbing stairs) in the index knee, measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale and recorded in cm with one decimal (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate worse pain.
Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Miary wyników drugorzędnych

Miara wyniku
Opis środka
Ramy czasowe
Change in Knee Pain at Rest (Visual Analogue Scale)
Ramy czasowe: Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Pain at rest in the index knee, measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale and recorded in cm with one decimal (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate worse pain.
Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention
Change in Knee Function (WOMAC)
Ramy czasowe: Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (Likert 3.1). Total score 0-96 and subscales for pain (0-20), stiffness (0-8) and physical function (0-68). Higher scores indicate worse symptoms and function.
Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention
Proportion of Participants Achieving the Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Pain
Ramy czasowe: 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Percentage of participants with a reduction of at least 2 points from baseline in pain during movement (visual analogue scale, 0-10).
1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention
Analgesic Consumption
Ramy czasowe: Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Number of days with analgesic use in the previous 4 weeks (0-28) and most potent analgesic used (none, paracetamol, NSAID, weak opioid, strong opioid).
Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention
Number of Participants With Adverse Events
Ramy czasowe: Up to 12 months after the intervention

Adverse events related to the diagnostic block, radiofrequency ablation or hyaluronic acid injection, systematically recorded at each visit.
Up to 12 months after the intervention
Retreatment or Rescue Treatment
Ramy czasowe: Up to 12 months after the intervention

Proportion of participants requiring retreatment, rescue treatment (including corticosteroid injection) or indication of total knee arthroplasty, and time to first retreatment or rescue treatment.
Up to 12 months after the intervention
Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L)
Ramy czasowe: Baseline, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

EQ-5D-5L descriptive system (5 dimensions, 5 levels; utility index calculated with the Spanish value set, where 1 = full health and higher values indicate better health) and EQ-VAS (0-100, higher scores indicate better health).
Baseline, 6 and 12 months after the intervention
Rate of Negative Diagnostic Genicular Nerve Blocks
Ramy czasowe: 4 hours after the diagnostic block

Percentage of participants allocated to the radiofrequency arm with less than 50% pain reduction within 4 hours after the diagnostic block, who therefore do not receive radiofrequency ablation.
4 hours after the diagnostic block
Patient Global Assessment
Ramy czasowe: Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Patient global assessment of the impact of knee osteoarthritis, measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (0 = very well, 100 = very poor). Higher scores indicate worse status.
Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention
Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)
Ramy czasowe: 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Single 7-point item from "very much better" to "very much worse" compared with before the study treatment. Responders are participants reporting "much better" or "very much better".
1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention
Proportion of OMERACT-OARSI Responders
Ramy czasowe: 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Responder according to OMERACT-OARSI criteria, based on pain during movement, WOMAC physical function and patient global assessment, each expressed on a 0-100 scale: improvement in pain or function >=50% and >=20 points, or improvement >=20% and >=10 points in at least two of the three domains.
1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention

Współpracownicy i badacze

Tutaj znajdziesz osoby i organizacje zaangażowane w to badanie.

Sponsor

Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona.

Współpracownicy

Institut Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili

Śledczy

  • Główny śledczy: Laura Pallarès Valls, MD, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona.

Daty zapisu na studia

Daty te śledzą postęp w przesyłaniu rekordów badań i podsumowań wyników do ClinicalTrials.gov. Zapisy badań i zgłoszone wyniki są przeglądane przez National Library of Medicine (NLM), aby upewnić się, że spełniają określone standardy kontroli jakości, zanim zostaną opublikowane na publicznej stronie internetowej.

Główne daty studiów

Rozpoczęcie studiów (Szacowany)

1 listopada 2026

Zakończenie podstawowe (Szacowany)

1 maja 2028

Ukończenie studiów (Szacowany)

1 maja 2028

Daty rejestracji na studia

Pierwszy przesłany

21 października 2026

Pierwszy przesłany, który spełnia kryteria kontroli jakości

21 października 2026

Pierwszy wysłany (Rzeczywisty)

28 października 2026

Aktualizacje rekordów badań

Ostatnia wysłana aktualizacja (Rzeczywisty)

13 listopada 2026

Ostatnia przesłana aktualizacja, która spełniała kryteria kontroli jakości

11 listopada 2026

Ostatnia weryfikacja

1 listopada 2026

Więcej informacji

Terminy związane z tym badaniem

Słowa kluczowe

Dodatkowe istotne warunki MeSH

Inne numery identyfikacyjne badania

  • Ceim-116/2026
  • 116/2026 (Inny identyfikator: CEIm IISPV (Research Ethics Committee) reference number)

Plan dla danych uczestnika indywidualnego (IPD)

Planujesz udostępniać dane poszczególnych uczestników (IPD)?

NIE

Opis planu IPD

Individual participant data will not be shared publicly, as participant consent for data sharing was not obtained and data are protected under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Data will be pseudonymized using participant codes and entered into REDCap, where the statistical analysis will be performed. Aggregated results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Informacje o lekach i urządzeniach, dokumenty badawcze

Bada produkt leczniczy regulowany przez amerykańską FDA

Nie

Bada produkt urządzenia regulowany przez amerykańską FDA

Nie

Te informacje zostały pobrane bezpośrednio ze strony internetowej clinicaltrials.gov bez żadnych zmian. Jeśli chcesz zmienić, usunąć lub zaktualizować dane swojego badania, skontaktuj się z register@clinicaltrials.gov. Gdy tylko zmiana zostanie wprowadzona na stronie clinicaltrials.gov, zostanie ona automatycznie zaktualizowana również na naszej stronie internetowej .

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