PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY WITH ALGOCARE® TRANSDERMAL SYSTEM FOR BILATERAL GONALGIA DUE TO PAINFUL PROTHETICS: A CASE REPORT

G. Poni, L. Villagrossi, A. Martini, P. Vendramin, E. Bonora, A. Patton, L. Occhial, M. Tomasi, N. Pozzobon, E. Polati, V. Schweiger | Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, Verona University Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND
AlgoCare® is a non-invasive, single-use device that modulates cellular processes involved in inflammation and edema via Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. The electromagnetic field induces a low-intensity current (no heat), penetrating tissue up to 5–7 cm, disrupting pro-inflammatory molecule synthesis. Widely used in orthopedics, plastic, and general surgery, it can be applied with one or two antennas depending on the area treated. Therapy duration is typically 100 hours over two weeks.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 91-year-old woman with osteoporosis and bilateral knee arthroplasties (right 1983, left 2016) experienced persistent pain in her left knee. Bone scan and CT exclude infection or loosening. A genicular nerve block gave >50% relief. In December 2024, conventional radiofrequency denervation (RFD) was performed, yielding only temporary benefit. Three months later, RFD was repeated using transdermal ALGOCARE®, with full pain relief but residual stiffness. As pain worsened in the right knee, bilateral ALGOCARE® RFD was performed (20 min, 1.4 A, 50 V, 30 Ohm). After one month, the pain score dropped from 8 to 2, with QoL stable at 30%.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between June 2023 and June 2024, a double-blind randomized trial was conducted in Western Rajasthan, India, enrolling 180 patients (mean age 57) with knee osteoarthritis (ACR criteria, KL grades 2–4) and chronic pain >3 months. The study compared standard 3-nerve RFD (SMGN, SLGN, IMGN) to an extended 5-nerve protocol that added the infrapatellar saphenous nerve (IPBSN) and recurrent fibular nerve (RFN).
RESULTS
Pain (NRS), function (TUG), and QoL (KOOS subscale) were measured at baseline, 1 and 3 months. No significant differences emerged between groups, though both showed clinical improvement. The 5-nerve group had greater QoL gains at 3 months, suggesting possible long-term benefit.
DISCUSSION
PEMF use reduces pain, analgesic need, and anxiety, supporting faster recovery and lower costs. Broader nerve coverage via AlgoCare® may enhance outcomes versus standard RFD.
CONCLUSIONS
AlgoCare® appears effective for knee pain relief, possibly due to wider neuromodulation. Further studies should assess duration of effect and compare different RFD protocols.

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