Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2025
Author Spotlight: Fu's Subcutaneous Needling for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
Published on: March 24, 2023
Surgical Knee Denervation for the Treatment of Pain Caused by Primary Osteoarthritis
Joshua W Hustedt1, Rachel Reichenbach1, Dallin Merrell1
1From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix.
Background:
Denervation techniques have increased in popularity for treatment of primary knee osteoarthritis. However, few clinical trials have been conducted on surgical knee denervation. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a surgical denervation technique for the treatment of primary knee osteoarthritis.
Methods:
Patients were included in the trial if they had failed conservative management for osteoarthritis with corticosteroid injections and were not candidates for total knee arthroplasty. Patients were treated with a surgical knee denervation. Preoperative and postoperative scores were assessed to examine the improvement in pain, function, and quality of life.
Results:
Twenty-four knee denervation procedures were performed in 21 patients. The average follow-up time was 21 months, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Patients experienced an improvement in pain with a decrease in visual analogue scale pain scores from 8.7 to 2.9, an improvement in function with a decrease in Western Ontario McMaster Arthritis Score scores from 69 to 32, and an improvement in quality of life with an increase in European quality of life index from 0.183 to 0.646. A clinically significant improvement in pain occurred in 92% of patients, whereas 75% of patients had an improvement in function and 83% had an improvement in quality of life.
Conclusions:
The treatment of recalcitrant knee pain in nonarthroplasty candidates is a difficult issue. This trial suggests that a surgical denervation technique provides improvement in pain, function, and quality of life. Surgical denervation may be a beneficial treatment for patients with recalcitrant pain from primary knee osteoarthritis.
Clinical Question/Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic, IV.
Insights
Surgical knee denervation offers significant pain relief and improved function for patients with severe knee osteoarthritis who are not candidates for knee replacement surgery. This minimally invasive technique shows promising results for recalcitrant knee pain.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent condition requiring effective treatment.
- Denervation techniques are gaining traction for OA management, but clinical evidence for surgical approaches is limited.
- This study addresses the need for evaluating surgical knee denervation's safety and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of a surgical denervation technique for primary knee osteoarthritis.
- To evaluate improvements in pain, function, and quality of life following the procedure.
- To provide evidence for surgical denervation as a treatment option for non-arthroplasty candidates.
Main Methods:
- A prospective trial involving patients with knee OA who failed conservative treatments and were ineligible for total knee arthroplasty.
- Patients underwent a surgical knee denervation procedure.
- Pre- and postoperative outcome scores (Visual Analogue Scale, Western Ontario McMaster Arthritis Score, European Quality of Life Index) were collected.
Main Results:
- Twenty-four procedures were performed on 21 patients with an average follow-up of 21 months.
- Significant pain reduction observed: Visual Analogue Scale decreased from 8.7 to 2.9.
- Marked improvements in function (WOMAC: 69 to 32) and quality of life (EQ-5D: 0.183 to 0.646) were reported.
- Clinically significant improvements achieved in 92% for pain, 75% for function, and 83% for quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Surgical knee denervation demonstrates significant efficacy in improving pain, function, and quality of life for patients with knee OA.
- The procedure offers a viable solution for managing recalcitrant knee pain in patients unsuitable for knee replacement.
- Surgical denervation represents a beneficial therapeutic option for select knee osteoarthritis patients.
