COOLIEF* Hip Cooled Radiofrequency
COOLIEF* Hip Cooled Radiofrequency
Chronic osteoarthritis of the hip is one of the most common conditions as we get older. The hip pain is often not effectively managed with medications or physical therapy. Radiofrequency (RF) neurotomy, when applied to articular nerve branches provides a therapeutic alternative for effective management of chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis of the hip
Although surgery is generally effective for patients with advanced disease, some older individuals with comorbidities may not be appropriate candidates for hip surgery. In addition some patients do not wish to consider surgery and prefer non- surgical options. In these patients, radiofrequency (RF) neurotomy of the hip joint is a successful alternative to surgery. This procedure is based on the theory that cutting the nerve supply to a painful hip joint may alleviate pain and restore function.
Indications for hip radiofrequency ablation
- Patients with chronic hip pain secondary to osteoarthritis
- Patients with failed hip replacement
- Patients unfit for hip replacement
- Patients who want to avoid surgery
- Diagnostic articular nerve blocks
These injections are performed under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance. A small amount of local anesthetic (2ml) is injected around the articular branches of the femoral and the obturator nerves, innervating the hip joint. A response is considered positive if there is at least 50% reduction in pain in the 24hrs following injection.
Cooled radiofrequency of hip joint
Patients with a positive response to a block are good candidates for COOLIEF* Hip Cooled RF. The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance to ensure accuracy of needle placement. Patients need to be aware that the outcome of the procedure is variable and they may not receive the desired benefits. Similarly, they must be aware of the transient nature of the therapeutic benefits and that there may need repeated injections.
Radiofrequency denervation treatment involves creating a heat lesion around the femoral and obturator nerve branches carrying painful impulses from the hip joint. Successful treatment can result in relief of hip pain lasting several months.
Cooled radiofrequency allows creation of larger-volume, spherical lesions compared to conventional radiofrequency. Treatment can take 4 to 6 weeks to work.