title: Which imaging method should be used for genicular nerve radio frequency thermocoagulation in chronic knee osteoarthritis?
abstract: This study aimed to perform genicular nerve RF neurotomy using two different imaging methods, fluoroscopy and ultrasound, and to compare the clinical effects and reliability of the two methods. Fifty patients with osteoarthritis were included in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into group 1 (fluoroscopy imaging) and group 2 (ultrasound imaging). Outcomes were measured using a pain scale (visual analog scale; VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Index of Osteoarthritis. The application time in the ultrasound group (20.2 ± 6.4 min) was shorter than in the fluoroscopy group (25 ± 4.8 min) (p < 0.05). There was no difference in pain relief and functional status between the ultrasound and fluoroscopy groups. Decrease in VAS score and WOMAC total score in the first and third months was significant in both groups (p < 0.001). GNRFT under ultrasound guidance was easily applicable, safe and dynamic, and required no radiation to achieve the same benefit as the fluoroscopy-guided interventions.
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, Aydin, Turkey. sarisinem@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sinem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarı
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Algology Department, Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman Nuri
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Aydın
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Physical and rehabilitation Department, Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Turan
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Şen
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Algology Department, Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pınar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Özlülerden
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Biostatistics Department, Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: İmran Kurt
authors.initials: İK
authors.lastname: Ömürlü
authors.affiliation: Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty, Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, Aydin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ferdi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gulastı
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003714:Denervation; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000294:innervation*; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011846:Radio Waves; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Fluoroscopy; Genicular nerve radio frequency thermocoagulation; Knee osteoarthritis; Ultrasonography