BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint disease that causes chronic pain, with recent evidence suggesting angiogenesis in the development of pain.

This technical report presents a novel application of genicular artery radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) as a potential treatment for refractory knee OA.

CASE REPORT: RFTC of the superior medial and lateral genicular arteries (SMGA/SGLA) was performed on a patient with chronic knee OA. The procedure involved RFTC at 90°C for 90 seconds per cycle, which was repeated until the arterial flow to the genicular artery was no longer visualized on ultrasound. At 6-month follow-up, visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) were one, 30, and “Very Much Improved”, respectively, with no need for analgesics or bracing.

CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the successful and safe application of minimally invasive RFTC targeting the SGMA/SGLA in a patient with knee OA.

KEYWORDS: Genicular artery; percutaneous, osteoarthritis, radiofrequency, thermocoagulation