Scientists at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital have found a new non-surgical treatment that significantly reduces knee pain, especially in people aged 50 and older. Their study examined 36 patients and looked at various factors that might affect pain relief, such as age, gender, body weight, previous surgeries, and fibromyalgia.
The results showed that all participants experienced a strong reduction in pain after the treatment. However, older patients (50 and above) had the biggest improvements in both pain reduction and movement compared to younger participants.
The treatment, called genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. It works by targeting the nerves around the knee that send pain signals to the brain. Using image guidance, doctors place thin probe needles near these nerves.
The probes then generate radio waves, creating heat that either weakens or destroys the pain-sensing nerve endings. Since these nerves do not control movement or balance, the procedure is considered safe.
One of the key benefits of this treatment is that it requires no stitches—patients leave with only Band-Aids. Previous research suggests that pain relief from this procedure can last anywhere from six months to two years.
Doctors believe this treatment can help people regain their ability to perform daily activities with less pain, improving their overall quality of life. The research team is now conducting long-term studies to understand what other factors might influence how well the treatment works.
This same procedure is also used to treat pain in the shoulders, hips, and sacroiliac joints (where the spine connects to the pelvis), showing its potential for broader pain management.
The study, led by Kaitlin Carrato, was presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting.
If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage gout with a low-purine diet, and a guide to eating right for arthritis.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and avoid these 8 foods to ease arthritis pain.
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