Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation (Knee RFA)
If chronic knee pain is significantly affecting your quality of life — and short-term treatments such as medication or genicular nerve blocks have only provided temporary relief — Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation (Genicular Nerve RFA) offers a highly effective, non-surgical path to longer-lasting pain relief. The procedure requires minimal recovery time and can meaningfully restore your ability to move freely and live well without major surgery.
What Is Genicular Nerve RFA?
The knee joint is supplied by several small genicular nerves — nerve branches whose primary function is to transmit pain signals from the knee to the brain. In Genicular Nerve RFA, targeted radiofrequency energy is delivered through fine needles to these specific nerves, using controlled heat to deactivate them and interrupt the pain cycle. The procedure is non-surgical, precise, and does not affect the nerves responsible for muscle control or sensation in the leg.
Who Is This Procedure Suitable For?
- Knee osteoarthritis — patients with chronic knee pain from joint degeneration who wish to avoid or delay knee replacement surgery, or who are not yet appropriate surgical candidates
- Persistent pain following knee surgery — patients who have undergone total or partial knee replacement but continue to experience significant residual pain
- Patients who responded well to a genicular nerve block — patients who previously experienced meaningful pain relief from a diagnostic or therapeutic genicular nerve block, but whose pain returned after the block wore off; RFA provides a more durable version of that same relief
- Patients resistant to conventional treatment — including oral medication, physiotherapy, corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) injections that have not achieved adequate pain control
The Procedure
This is a safe, precise, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is not required. Total procedure time is approximately 45–60 minutes depending on the number of nerve targets treated.
- Anaesthesia and sedation — local anaesthetic is applied to minimise discomfort. A mild sedative is available for patients who prefer to feel more relaxed throughout the procedure
- Real-time image guidance — the physician uses ultrasound guidance and/or fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to precisely locate each genicular nerve target around the knee in real time
- Ablation — fine radiofrequency needles are advanced to each target nerve; controlled radiofrequency heat is then delivered to deactivate the nerve fibres responsible for transmitting knee pain signals to the brain
Expected Outcomes
- Long-lasting pain relief — most patients experience a significant and sustained reduction in knee pain; therapeutic effects typically last 3–6 months, and in some patients considerably longer, depending on the individual and the severity of the underlying joint condition
- Reduced medication dependence — the procedure helps patients reduce or eliminate their reliance on ongoing pain medication, lowering the cumulative health risks associated with long-term analgesic use
- Improved mobility and function — reduced pain enables patients to engage more effectively in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, perform daily activities with greater ease, and return to the level of activity that matters to them
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery
- Injection site: Mild soreness at the treatment site is normal and expected. This typically resolves on its own within 1–2 days and is not a sign of the original pain returning.
- Daily activities: Most patients can return to light daily activities immediately or the following day.
Pain Management at Bangkok Interventional Clinic
At Bangkok Interventional Clinic, we focus on personalised, in-depth pain management tailored to each individual.
- All patients are evaluated and treated by a board-certified pain specialist, ensuring accuracy, safety, and effective care.
- Targeted interventional procedures for fast and effective symptom relief
- Patient education to support sustainable, long-term self-care
Our goal is to meaningfully improve the quality of life of every patient we treat. If you are living with pain that affects your daily life, the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan are where change begins.
