Actively Recruiting
Fluoroscopic Versus Ultrasound Guidance for Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Geniculate Nerves in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Control Trial
Led by University of California, Davis · Updated on 2026-02-20
90
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
221 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Davis
Lead Sponsor
A
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Cooled radiofrequency ablation (cRFA) of the knee geniculate nerves is a promising treatment option for knee osteoarthritis, but has variable efficacy. Fluoroscopy is the typical guidance of choice, but uses bony landmarks to target these nerves which have variable positions around the knee. Alternatively, ultrasound allows for targeting based on visualization of bony landmarks, the nerves, and their accompanying vascular structures, and thus may offer greater accuracy. However, there are few studies which directly compare the clinical efficacy of these two guidance options. This study will compare these two options.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Fluoroscopic Versus Ultrasound Guidance for Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Geniculate Nerves in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Control Trial
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients of any gender with primary knee osteoarthritis diagnosed by the American College of Rheumatology
- Kellgren-Lawrence score between 2 and 4
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale of at least 4 on most or all days in the past week
- Knee pain resistant to conventional treatments (e.g., medications, physical therapy, injections) for at least 3 months
- If both knees are affected, the most painful knee will be treated and studied
You will not qualify if you...
- Younger than 35 years old
- Non-English speaking
- Body mass index over 40
- Previous radiofrequency ablation procedure on the knee
- Active infection at the site of needle or cRFA probe placement
- Previous knee joint replacement surgery
- Autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis
- Unable to walk
- Unable to provide informed consent (e.g., dementia)
- Unstable medical or psychiatric illness
- Presence of pacemakers, spinal cord stimulators, deep brain stimulators, or similar devices
- Seeking care related to workman's compensation or ongoing litigation
- Did not respond positively to diagnostic geniculate nerve lidocaine injections
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
UC Davis Health
Sacramento, California, United States, 95816
Not Yet Recruiting
2
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York, United States, 14627
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Daniel Herman, MD
CONTACT
K
Katherine Rizzone, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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