Algofunctional outcome after intra-articular bipolar pulsed radiofrequency ablation for pain in osteoarthritis of the knee: A retrospective study

There is a paucity of research and evidence, regarding the effectiveness of applying bipolar pulsed radiofrequency (bPRF) in osteoarthritis of the knee. This study aimed to search for the impact of intra-articular bPRF (IA-bPRF) on pain, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with advanced knee osteoarthritis. A total of 35 patients experiencing knee pain were included in the study. IA-bPRF was applied at 42 °C temperature, 45 V, with a pulse-width of 20 ms and a frequency of 2 Hz for 3 cycles of 120 seconds. Pain severity was evaluated using the numeric rating scale. Assessment tools included Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne Algofunctional Index for knee. All measurements were made before the intervention, as well as 2 weeks and 6 months after application of IA-bPRF. Significant improvement was observed in numeric rating scale scores for walking pain from 8.57 ± 0.17 to 4.11 ± 0.35, total WOMAC scores decreased from 75.5 ± 2.71 to 36.7 ± 3.6 and Lequesne Algofunctional Index for knee scores decreased from 18.6 ± 0.70 to 10.4 ± 0.93 by the end of the sixth month (P