Comparison Between Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation of Articular Branches of Obturator and Femoral Nerves and Intraarticular Steroid Injection in Management of Chronic Hip Pain in Osteoarthritis of Hip: A Randomised Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective:- To compare the effectiveness between the radiofrequency ablation of articular branches of obturator and femoral nerves and intraarticular steroid injection for treatment of chronic hip pain secondary to Osteoarthritis(OA) Methods:- Forty two patients with hip OA were included in a prospective, randomised controlled trial, which were distributed in two group. The study group (group A) received radiofrequency ablation(RFA) of sensory branches of femoral and obturator nerve, while the control group(group B) received intra-articular steroid. Outcome measures used were VAS and WOMAC, assessment were done at baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks post procedure. All analyses were based on intention-to-treat using SPSS, version 21. There was signicant improvement of VAS Results:- score in both groups (p<0.05) in all follow-up period. However at 12 weeks and 24 weeks group A showed more signicant improvement when compared to Group B. The WOMAC score at 4 weeks follow-up shows no signicant difference in improvement for both pain and function in both group. However at 12 weeks and 24 weeks, group A showed a signicant improvement (p<0.05) compared to group B. Conclusions: Both RFA and intra-articular steroid injection reduces pain in hip OA. However, results of radiofrequency ablation in this study provides longer duration of pain reduction and functional improvement. Hence RFA can be preferred over intra-articular steroid injection for treatment modality.