Heat therapy for knee pain: new study tests Nerve-Burning procedure after failed replacements
NCT ID NCT05283889
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a procedure called genicular radiofrequency ablation can safely reduce persistent knee pain in people who still hurt more than a year after total knee replacement. The procedure uses heat to temporarily calm specific nerves around the knee. Half of the 44 participants will get the real procedure, and half will get a sham (fake) version, so researchers can see if the real treatment truly helps more than a placebo.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Genicular radiofrequency ablation (a procedure that uses heat to calm pain-sensing nerves around the knee)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a minimally invasive option to reduce chronic pain and improve function for people whose knee replacement still hurts.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 44 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The procedure carries risks like nerve damage or infection, and the sham comparison means some benefit could be due to placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Vivo Cura Health
Calgary, Alberta, T2E2P5, Canada
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