Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal issues, affecting nearly 25% of American adults. Though it often improves with conservative care, such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications, some patients experience ongoing symptoms that interfere with their mobility and quality of life.
Traditionally, these cases were often treated with surgery, but that’s starting to change, thanks to minimally invasive alternatives, like COOLIEF* cooled radiofrequency treatment.
At LiveWell Pain Management, interventional pain specialist Nora Taha, MD, uses COOLIEF* to treat chronic knee pain. Here, she explains how COOLIEF* works, who’s a candidate, and what to expect during treatment.
COOLIEF* is an outpatient procedure that uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to target specific nerves and interrupt pain signals responsible for chronic knee pain. It’s similar to traditional RF treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation, but instead of applying heat to the sensory nerves responsible for knee pain, the probe is cooled during treatment.
Circulating cooled water through the RF probe can improve patient comfort and allow for a larger and more precise treatment area. When administered by a trained professional, like Dr. Taha, many people experience pain relief that lasts 12 to 24 months and sometimes longer.
You may be a candidate for COOLIEF* cooled radiofrequency treatment if you:
Because every patient is unique, it’s important to receive a comprehensive evaluation. After reviewing your health history, discussing your symptoms, and completing a physical exam and imaging if necessary, Dr. Taha can make personalized treatment recommendations.
COOLIEF* cooled radiofrequency treatment is an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
On the day of your appointment, we clean your knee and apply a local anesthetic to your skin to numb any sensation. After the anesthetic kicks in, we use X-ray guided imaging (fluoroscopy) to carefully position the RF probe near the nerves responsible for your chronic pain.
Once the probe is in position, the cooling technology goes to work, targeting the nerves that send pain signals to your brain. The cooling technology lets us target these nerves more precisely than with traditional RF therapies, which can lead to longer-lasting pain relief.
After treatment is finished, we remove the RF probe and move you to a recovery room for observation. You don’t need to stay overnight, but you will need someone to drive you home, because the local anesthetic can take several hours to fully wear off.
The time it takes for COOLIEF* treatment to work depends on several factors, including your age, health history, and the source of your chronic knee pain. Some patients experience noticeable relief after about a week, but for others, it takes longer.
It’s normal to experience some mild swelling, redness, and pain at the probe insertion site. Any discomfort that you experience should improve within 48 to 72 hours and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Many people experience pain relief that lasts for 12 months or longer. In fact, people with knee osteoarthritis often report up to a 50% reduction in their symptoms.
If chronic knee pain is affecting your mobility or keeping you from activities that you enjoy, COOLIEF* cooled radiofrequency treatment may be worth exploring. We also offer complementary treatments, such as acupuncture, regenerative medicine, and physical therapy. No matter your pain management needs, the goal is to ease discomfort and help you get back on your feet.
To learn more, call the nearest LiveWell Pain Management office in Elmwood Park, Englewood, or Paramus, New Jersey, or request an appointment online.
