New study pits heat vs. alcohol to zap knee pain
NCT ID NCT07537335
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares two minimally invasive procedures to relieve long-term knee pain from osteoarthritis. One uses radiofrequency (heat) to block pain nerves, the other uses a small amount of alcohol. About 50 adults aged 45-85 with moderate to severe knee pain will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. Researchers will track pain, function, and quality of life for 6 months to see which method works better and lasts longer.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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May 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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45 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: Patients aged 45 to 85 years. * Diagnosis: Chronic knee pain for at least 6 months diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. * Radiological Grade: Grade 3 or 4 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) classification. * Pain Severity: Baseline Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score of 5 or higher. * Failure of Conservative Treatment: Inadequate response to conservative treatments (e.g., physical therapy, NSAIDs, or intra-articular injections) for at least 3 months. * Positive Diagnostic Block: At least 50% reduction in pain for minimum 24 hours following a prognostic genicular nerve block with local anesthetic. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous Surgery: History of knee arthroplasty or major knee surgery on the affected side. * Specific Conditions: Presence of inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), gouty arthritis, or active infection at the injection site. * Neurological Deficit: Severe neurological or psychiatric disorders that may interfere with pain assessment. * Coagulopathy: Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant therapy that cannot be temporarily discontinued. * Recent Injections: Intra-articular steroid or hyaluronic acid injection within the last 3 months. * Allergy: Known allergy to local anesthetics, contrast agents, or ethyl alcohol. * Pacemaker: Presence of a cardiac pacemaker or implanted electronic device (specifically for the RFA group).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
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The official record
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