Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Authors
Category Primary study
Registry of TrialsClinicalTrials.gov
Year 2026
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.
Epistemonikos ID: c4a952703ae0bdb57783f617234fad9b80dd0519
First added on: Oct 29, 2026