910 - Case Series: Saphenous Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Knee Pain

Objectives: Chronic knee pain is a debilitating condition affecting approximately 25% of adults. A number of conservative and surgical treatment options are available to patients, however a subset of patients unfortunately remain with refractory pain. Our objective is to describe a case series utilizing radiofrequency ablation of the saphenous nerve at the adductor canal for chronic knee pain related to osteoarthritis for patients with refractory pain to conservative measures.

Design: Baseline pain and function was assessed in 12 patients using the NRS pain scale and WOMAC questionnaire respectively, and these measures were reassessed at 3 months and 6 months after radiofrequency ablation.

Results: Using the NRS pain intensity scale, there was a statistically significant improvement in pain between baseline pain and pain at 6 months. 42% of patients reported ≥50% relief in pain after three months, and about 83% reported ≥50% relief in pain after 6 months. Using the WOMAC questionnaire for function, there was a statistically significant improvement in physical function between baseline and 6 months. About 17% of patients reported ≥50% improvement in function after 3 months, and 75% reported ≥50% improvement in function after 6 months.

Conclusions: Conservative treatment options for chronic knee osteoarthritis include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid. Advanced treatments include genicular nerve ablation, or peripheral nerve stimulation. Despite these treatment options, many patients remain with refractory pain. This case series adds to the body of literature suggesting that radiofrequency ablation of the saphenous nerve at the adductor canal is an effective treatment modality for patients with chronic knee pain related to osteoarthritis that is refractory to conservative measures.