In a study from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, scientists found a new non-surgical treatment strongly reduces knee pain, especially among those 50 and older.
In the study, the team examined pain reduction for 36 patients.
The researchers evaluated whether pain reduction levels were influenced by age, gender, body mass index, history of prior surgery and history of fibromyalgia.
After treatment, all study participants experienced a strong reduction in pain. The greatest increase in functionality and decrease in pain was recorded for patients 50 and older compared to younger participants.
The treatment, genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation, is a minimally invasive treatment for knee pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee, and can strongly reduce pain.
Interventional radiologists perform genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation by image guidance to place probe needles next to the nerves of the knee that can send pain signals to the brain.
The probes generate radio waves, creating a ball of heat to dull or destroy the pain nerve endings. These nerves do not control muscles or affect balance, making the procedure safe.
Furthermore, patients leave with Band-Aids, not stitches. The treatment in other studies has been shown to last for approximately six months to up to two years.
The team says this treatment can offer many of those people a chance to enjoy everyday activities and regain a higher quality of life by decreasing the pain that they experience on a daily basis.
The researchers are currently conducting long-term studies into this treatment that dive deeper into what other factors could predict how well the treatment will work.
The same treatment is also conducted with the shoulder, hips and sacroiliac joints, where the spine connects to the pelvis.
If you care about pain, please read studies that 1 in 3 people with chronic pain turn to marijuana, and these vitamins could help reduce bone fracture risk.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies that Krill oil could improve muscle health, and a study shows powerlifting is an effective exercise for chronic low back pain.
The study was conducted by Kaitlin Carrato et al and presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
