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Osteoarthritis (OA) is globally the most prevalent joint disease and causes patients great pain, limited joint mobility, and psychological distress. Short- and long-term therapies like steroid injections and arthroplasty exist, respectively. Joint arthroplasty can effectively treat symptomatic end-stage OA, but most patients do not go through with surgery because they are not qualified, have comorbidities, or do not wish to undergo surgery. As a result, patients can turn to opioid agonists for pain relief, which contributes to the growing opioid epidemic that mars our communities. Cooled radiofrequency ablation (C-RFA) is an effective treatment modality that can alleviate the pain associated with moderate to severe OA, especially in patients who have tried and failed conservative therapy. This review article elucidates the benefits of C-RFA, while also walking through the technical steps to performing the procedure. For patients suffering from debilitating joint OA, especially of the knee, C-RFA is a minimally invasive procedure that ensures pain relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide, leading to significant pain, restricted range of motion, and disability. A gap exists between short- and long-term symptom-relieving therapies. Although arthroplasty is an effective treatment for symptomatic end-stage disease, most patients ultimately do not receive a joint replacement due to suboptimal surgical qualifications, comorbidities, or an aversion to surgery. The lack of additional treatment options in this setting makes opioid agonists a commonly used pharmacologic agent, contributing to the addiction epidemic that greatly afflicts our communities. Cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) has arisen as a treatment modality in the setting of moderate to severe OA among patients refractory to conservative management, generally showing greater efficacy compared with other existing strategies. This review focuses on the benefits of CRFA and its technical feasibility as a management option among patients experiencing debilitating large joint OA with limited clinical options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]