According to a recent study, ultrasound guidance in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targeting knee nerves has been shown to significantly decrease pain caused by knee osteoarthritis (KOA), enhance the function of the knee joint, improve patient satisfaction, and present a practical, safe, and successful minimally invasive procedure for elderly patients with moderate to severe KOA. This study’s findings were published in the journal, Pain Physician.

This prospective randomized controlled study included 120 patients who were aged 50 years or older, experiencing chronic knee joint pain for a minimum of 6 months, with a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of at least 4, and classified as grade III-IV based on the Kellgren-Lawrence system. The principle for selecting the target nerves was as follows: for medial knee pain, the inferior medial genicular nerve (IMGN) branch and superomedial genicular nerve (SMGN) branch of the saphenous nerve were chosen; for lateral pain, the superolateral genicular nerve (SLGN) branch of the femoral nerve was selected; and for total knee pain, the SMGN, IMGN, and SLGN branches were selected. The main outcomes measured were the NRS pain score (including the most severe pain), the percentage of patients who achieved a pain reduction of more than 2 points, and the average pain. The Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was the secondary outcome measure. In the RFA group, RFA at 70ºC was conducted for 120 seconds per patient, while knee nerve blocks were administered in the control group.

At the end of the study, significant variations were observed in the mean NRS scores and worst pain levels among the treatment groups during the first, third, and, sixth months post-treatment. The mean WOMAC pain, physical function, and total scores differed significantly between the treatment groups and over time. Following treatment, the proportion of patients needing analgesic drugs was notably lower in the RFA group than in the control group.

Thus, it can be concluded that ultrasound guidance in RFA-applied knee nerves has been found to significantly alleviate pain caused by KOA. This minimally invasive procedure is considered safe and efficacious for elderly patients with moderate to severe KOA.

According to a recent study, high-dose vitamin D supplementation (VDS) plus standard urotherapy (SU) is safe and efficacious in managing overactive bladder dry in children. This study’s findings were published in The Journal of Urology.

This 3-arm, randomized clinical trial included 303 pediatric patients. Out of these, 100 children were randomized to receive 8 weeks of high-dose VDS, which consisted of vitamin D3 drops encapsulated as soft capsules, 2400 IU/d, plus SU (VDS + SU group). The other groups were administered 5-10 mg/d of solifenacin plus SU (SOL + SU group; n=102), or SU alone (SU group; n=101). The primary outcome of the study was reduction in voiding frequency. Secondary outcomes included nocturia, quality of life score, improvement in urgency, participant satisfaction, and pediatric lower urinary tract symptom score. Also, the treatment-related adverse events were recorded for each group.

It was observed that the VDS + SU group showed greater improvements in voids/d than the SOL + SU group and the SU group post intervention. The greatest improvement in quality of life and pediatric lower urinary tract symptom scores was also seen in the VDS + SU group. Both the SOL + SU and SU groups showed similar patient satisfaction. The VDS + SU group did not exhibit an increased risk of treatment-emergent adverse events as found in the other groups.

Based on the above results, it can be concluded that high-dose of VDS plus SU, when given to children for managing overactive bladder dry, may be effective and well-tolerated and hence, may be used as a novel therapeutic option.