Continuous Radiofrequency in Hip Osteoarthritis Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Brasilia

About this trial

This will be a prospective, single-center, double-blinded, randomized study designed to compare the efficacy of the intraarticular injection of a corticosteroid and the Conventional Radiofrequency (CRF) of the anterior sensory branches to the hip in controlling pain and improving function related to hip osteoarthritis.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Individuals ≥ 18 years of age, with symptomatic unilateral hip osteoarthritis, grades II and III according to the Kellgreen and Lawrance classification, hip pain for more than six months (medial, anterior, anterolateral, and/or lateral region) will be included.

Disqualifiers

Individuals with radiculopathy and ipsilateral irradiation, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, previous arthroplasty on the hip to be studied or surgical scar that could lead to changes in the anatomy of the hip, cases of high dislocation of the hip, pain exclusively in the posterior region, symptomatic ipsilateral knee osteoarthritis, intra-articular infiltration of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid in the hip for less than six months, patients with neurological diseases, peripheral neuropathy or psychiatric diseases, use of a pacemaker or Prothrombin Activity Time (INR) > 3.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Conventional Radiofrequency (CRF group)

    Procedure/Surgery

    Radiofrequency will be performed with a 22-gauge CRF cannula, 10/15 cm long, 10mm curved active tip, at 90º for 90 seconds, introduced in the anteroposterior and lateromedial directions, to reach the teardrop landmark. Denervation of the articular branches of the Obturator Nerve will be performed in 2 cycles, starting lateral to the lateral edge of the obturator foramen, followed by a point approximately 1cm lateral to the first point. Next, the cannula will be repositioned in a more cranial location, parallel to the superolateral edge of the acetabular dome, to reach the sensory branches of the Femoral Nerve, performing 3 cycles at the 01, 12, and 11 o'clock positions. All lesions will be preceded by motor stimulation at 2,5V and cycles will be followed by the infusion of 2ml of 1% ropivacaine. After concluding the procedure, hip intraarticular infiltration will be performed as described for the control group.

  • Intraarticular Infiltration ( Control group)

    Procedure/Surgery

    For the control group (IA), an epidural anesthesia needle (22G spinal needle) will be used, positioned anteroposteriorly towards the central portion of the femoral neck, which will be introduced until transfixion of the anterior hip capsule through tactile sensitivity. After checking the correct positioning with the use of fluoroscopy and infusion of 3 ml of 50% diluted iodinated contrast, an infusion of 4 ml of 1% Ropivacaine and 80mg of methylprednisolone 40mg/ml will be done.

Treatment groups

70 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Control GroupActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: CRF groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Quality of Life (WOMAC)

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) is a self-administered health status measure and consists of 24 items divided into three domains, which are pain (5 questions), stiffness (2 questions), and physical function (17 questions), validated to patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis, available in a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 to 96 points.This questionnaire is translated and validated in portuguese.

Time frame
Baseline to 24 weeks ± 1 week.

Secondary outcomes

1

Change in Pain Visual Analogue Scale

The pain visual analogue scale (VAS) is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity, in a continuous scale comprised of a horizontal line, 10 centimeters (100 mm) in length, anchored by 2 verbal descriptors, one for each symptom extreme, "no pain" (score 0) and " worst pain ever" (score 100).

Time frame
Baseline, 1 week, 12 weeks ± 1 week and 24 weeks ± 1 week
2

Pain Medication Intake

To evaluate pain medication we will use a scale ranging from 0 to 4 (0= no medication; 0 = no medication; 1= use of dipyrone or paracetamol; 2= use of NSAIDs; 3= use of opiate derivatives; 4= routinely scheduled opiate derivatives), considering the last 48 hours.

Time frame
Baseline, 1 week, 12 weeks ± 1 week and 24 weeks ± 1 week.
3

Change in Hip muscles Isometric Peak Force

To examine isometric muscle force, a Lafayette Manual Muscle Testing System Model-01165 (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette IN, USA) will be used to access Peak Force of hip flexors, abductors, adductors and extensors.

Time frame
Baseline, 1 week, 12 weeks ± 1 week and 24 weeks ± 1 week.
4

Change in Hip muscles Average Force

To examine isometric muscle force, a Lafayette Manual Muscle Testing System Model-01165 (Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette IN, USA) will be used to access Average Force of hip flexors, abductors, adductors and extensors. We will also determine intra and inter-rater reliability for isometric force of hip flexors, abductors, adductors and extensors.

Time frame
Baseline, 1 week, 12 weeks ± 1 week and 24 weeks ± 1 week.

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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University of Brasilia

Lead sponsor

Sarah Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals

Collaborator