UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) announced on 28 June that it recommends the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of osteoarthritic knee pain.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and for patients who are not yet ready for surgery, RFA pain management products provide minimally invasive relief without the use of opioids by denervating the nerves in the area causing the patient pain.
From the NICE announcement: “Radiofrequency energy is used to denervate the target nerves. The radiofrequency energy can be delivered as conventional radiofrequency, cooled radiofrequency or pulsed radiofrequency. The aim is to reduce pain and delay the need for knee arthroplasty. There is good evidence to show that this procedure relieves pain in the short term. There are no major safety concerns, and the complications, including numbness, are well recognised.”
“The new interventional procedure recommendations published by NICE is a great step forward to help adopt radiofrequency ablation therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritic knee pain,” said Robin Correa, consultant in Pain Management and Anaesthetics, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (Coventry, UK). “Having observed the transformation in the quality of life of patients under my care using this treatment, I am delighted to see the publication of the NICE recommendations. I hope this will now help to increase awareness of this innovative therapy leading to improved outcomes for many more patients.”
