Table 1.
Randomized and comparative studies
| Trial | Study type | Trial size, diagnosis | RF method | Anatomic targets | Prognostic block | Follow-up | Results | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choi et al28 | RCT | 38, OA | RFA (70°C, 90 seconds) + LA vs sham | SM, SL, IM | Yes | 12 weeks | RFA > sham for pain and function at 4 and 12 weeks | High volume (2 mL) used for prognostic blocks |
| Sarı et al29 | RCT | 73, OA | RFA (80°C, 90 seconds) vs IA steroid, LA, and morphine | SM, SL, IM | No | 3 months | RFA superior for pain and function | No prognostic blocks |
| Shen et al43 | RCT | 54, OA | RFA (70°C, 120 seconds) + PRP + HA vs PRP + HA | Not specified | No | 3 months | RFA superior for pain and function | Nerves targeted not described, unclear if imaging guidance was used |
| Qudsi-Sinclair et al30 | RCT | 28, post- TKA | RFA (80°C, 90 seconds) vs LA + steroid | SM, SL, IM | No | 12 months | RFA > nerve block for pain at 12 months; functional relief modest and not different between groups | Significant short-term relief with nerve blocks. Functional improvement modest and not statistically different between groups |
| Davis et al31 | RCT | 151, OA | Cooled RFA (60°C, 150 seconds) vs IA steroid | SM, SL, IM | Yes | 6 months | RFA > IA injections for pain and function | No difference in opioid usage between groups |
| El-Hakeim et al32 | RCT | 60, OA | RFA (90°C, 270 seconds) vs PO acetaminophen and NSAIDs | SM, SL, IM | No | 6 months | RFA superior for pain and function | Patients not blinded |
| McCormick et al33 | RCT | 53, OA | Cooled RFA (60°C, 150 seconds) either after or without prognostic nerve block | SM, SL, IM | Yes/no | 6 months | Both groups improved in pain and function, no difference between groups | 29 of 32 patients in the nerve block group received RFA |
| Gulec et al39 | RCT | 100, OA | Bipolar vs monopolar IA PRF (42°C, 10 minutes) | IA | No | 12 weeks | Bipolar > monopolar RFA for pain relief at 12 weeks | No control group |
| Ikeuchi et al37 | CS-P | 35, OA | RFA (70°C, 90 seconds) + LA vs LA | SM, IP | No | 6 months | RFA > LA for pain at 12 weeks | Not image guided, non-randomized |
Abbreviations: CS-P, case series, prospective; HA, hyaluronic acid; IA, intra-articular; IM, inferomedial; IP, infrapatellar; LA, local anesthetic; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; OA, osteoarthritis; PO, per os; PRF, pulsed radiofrequency; PRP, platelet-rich plasma; RCT, randomized controlled trial; RF, radiofrequency; RFA, radiofrequency ablation; SL, superolateral; SM, superomedial; TKA, total knee arthroplasty.