According to a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting held in Phoenix, genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee that can dramatically lessen pain, especially in persons aged 50 and beyond.

The researchers stated that the patient characteristics, prior surgical history, and other clinical characteristics that can suggest how much pain is decreased after therapy were examined for the first time in this study. In the study, the researchers used the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) pain scale to look at the degree of pain reduction for 36 participants. Additionally, they examined how clinical and demographic factors like fibromyalgia history, body mass index, prior surgical history, age, and gender affected pain reduction levels.

Patients had an average baseline WOMAC score of 66.6 and a mean baseline VAS of 8.58 prior to treatment. After treatment, all study participants experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain.

The findings showed that the mean WOMAC score fell from 66.6 to 41. Similarly, the mean VAS was reduced from 8.58 to 5.02. Overall, when compared to those who were younger, patients 50 and older experienced the highest increase in functionality and the lowest level of discomfort. 

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/read-how-non-surgical-treatment-helps-to-reduce-knee-pain-for-adults-over-50/1420999/)