Cooled radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves for chronic pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee: a cost-effectiveness analysis based on trial data

151 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain were randomized to receive cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) or intra-articular corticosteroid (IAS) injections. Patients in the IAS group were given the opportunity to cross over to CRFA treatment after 6 months, however these patients were not included in the CRFA group analysis. The primary outcome of interest was the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Additional outcomes of interest included QALYs, treatment cost, incremental QALY gain, incremental cost, and total cost. Follow up was performed at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. The findings revealed that while CRFA treatment costed more than IAS injection, it provided more improvements in QALY at a cost under the 100,000USD threshold set for cost-effectiveness in the Medicare system.