A recent study has found a new treatment that could be life-changing for people who suffer from knee pain, especially those aged 50 and older.
The research, done at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, looked at how well a simple medical procedure can reduce knee pain without the need for surgery.
The study involved 36 people and looked at whether factors like age, gender, body weight, past surgeries, or conditions like fibromyalgia affected how well the treatment worked. The results were very promising.
Everyone who got the treatment felt less pain, and people over 50 had the best results. They were able to move more easily and had a big drop in knee pain. This shows the treatment may be especially good for older adults.
The treatment is called genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation. It is a safe and simple procedure that helps reduce knee pain caused by a condition called osteoarthritis. This is a common condition in older people that causes the joints to become stiff and painful.
Doctors called interventional radiologists perform the procedure using special medical images to guide them. They place tiny probes, or needles, near the nerves around the knee that send pain signals to the brain.
These probes create radio waves that heat up and stop the nerve endings from working. This helps stop the pain without harming muscles or balance.
Patients don’t need stitches after the treatment. They usually just need a Band-Aid. The whole process is quick, and most people can go home the same day.
Past research shows that the pain relief from this treatment can last from six months to two years. This means people can get back to enjoying everyday activities, like walking or climbing stairs, without being held back by pain.
The researchers are continuing to study the treatment to see what other things might make it more or less effective. They are also looking into whether the same method can help with pain in other parts of the body, like the hips, shoulders, and the lower back where the spine meets the pelvis.
If you are interested in ways to manage pain, other recent studies show that about one in three people with chronic pain use marijuana to help them feel better. Some vitamins may also help lower the risk of breaking bones. In addition, krill oil has been shown to help with muscle health, and lifting weights may be good for people with long-lasting low back pain.
This study was led by Kaitlin Carrato and her team and was shared at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting. It shows that genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation could be a great new option for people, especially older adults, who want to manage knee pain without surgery.
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