Is Radiofrequency Ablation Superior to Intra-Articular Injections for the Treatment of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis?—A Systematic Review

The radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered a valid, minimally invasive treatment modality for the management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). aim this study was to compare outcomes RFA with that commonly used intra-articular injections persistent pain due OA. Medline/Pubmed and Scopus databases were systematically searched up April 2023 identify studies comparing effect (IAIs) on Nine including 899 patients fulfilled eligibility criteria included in systematic review. procedure related improved relief compared IAIs at 3-, 6- 12-month follow-up (p < 0.001). Similarly, functional improvement greater than observed after hyaluronic acid (HA), steroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (Visual Analogue Scale p 0.001, Numeric Rating = 0.019, Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index 0.012). overall procedural complication rate 10.2% higher 0.023) PRP 0.017) injections. However, no severe adverse events reported. For OA, seems be more effective alleviating improving joint function, despite relatively incidence non-serious events. limited number patients, result should interpreted caution not generalized entire OA population.