Ultrasound-guided monopolar versus bipolar radiofrequency ablation for genicular nerves in chronic knee osteoarthritis pain: A randomized controlled study

This study compared between monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the genicular nerves using ultrasound guidance (USG) in chronic knee osteoarthritis pain. This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Fifty patients with knee osteoarthritis pain were equally randomized to either monopolar or bipolar groups. The primary outcome was visual analogue score (VAS). The secondary outcomes were the proportion of successful responders with a reduction of 50% of VAS score at 12 and 24 weeks, the procedure time and pain and oxford knee score (OKS).VAS and OKS were recorded at 1, 4, 12, 24 weeks after intervention. Any complications were reported. Mean VAS score in bipolar group was (p