Unipolar vs Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study compares two radiofrequency ablation techniques, unipolar and bipolar, to relieve chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis. A diagnostic genicular nerve block is used to select participants likely to benefit, followed by nerve ablation using one of the two methods. Eligible participants are adults over 50 with radiographically confirmed knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence II-IV) and persistent pain despite prior therapies. The study is conducted at Tanta University in Egypt with a lead sponsor and no listed collaborators. Outcomes focus on pain relief and function after the procedure, assessing whether the bipolar approach offers advantages over the unipolar approach.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \> 50 years.
* Both genders.
* Diagnosed with chronic knee osteoarthritis (KOA) according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and confirmed with plain radiography as the gold standard for the diagnosis of KOA.
* One chronic KOA pain not responding to other treatments as physiotherapy, oral analgesics, and intraarticular injection with hyaluronic acids or steroids.
* Kellgren-Lawrence grade (II-IV).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chronic knee pain induced by infection, inflammation, tumors, and fractures.
* Prior knee surgery.
* Acute knee pain.
* Connective tissue diseases.
* Neurologic or psychiatric disorders.
* Intra-articular knee corticosteroid or hyaluronic acids in the past 3 months.
* Anticoagulant medication.
* Local infection of the site of intervention.
* Cognitive impairment.

Where it's running

• Tanta University
  Tanta, El-Gharbia, Egypt Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mohammed S Elsharkawy, MD
• Email: mselsharkawy@med.tanta.edu.eg
• Phone: 00201148207870

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.