PENG Block & PENG PRF
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequency.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hip. Basic parameters: 18 years — 80 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Evaluation of the Clinical Effectiveness of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block and Pulsed Radiofrequency Applications in Chronic Hip Pain
Overview
The primary aim of this study is to prospectively compare the effects of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block alone and the combination of PENG block with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on pain intensity in patients with chronic hip pain. As a secondary aim, the effects of both treatment modalities on hip function are intended to be evaluated using valid and reliable functional assessment scales. Through this study, it is aimed to demonstrate the clinical contribution of adding PRF to the PENG block and to identify a more effective and longer-lasting approach for the interventional treatment of chronic hip pain.
Detailed description
Chronic hip pain is a common clinical condition, particularly in the elderly, that significantly impairs quality of life and leads to functional limitation and dependence in daily activities. Chronic hip pain caused by degenerative, inflammatory, and mechanical conditions-most notably hip osteoarthritis-often remains inadequately controlled despite medical treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Although surgical interventions can be effective, they are not suitable for all patients due to advanced age, comorbidities, or surgical contraindications. Therefore, minimally invasive interventional pain management techniques have gained increasing importance in the treatment of chronic hip pain.
The nociceptive innervation of the hip joint primarily arises from the anterior capsule, which is mainly supplied by the sensory branches of the femoral, obturator, and accessory obturator nerves. Based on this anatomical rationale, the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is an ultrasound-guided technique that targets these sensory fibers to provide effective analgesia without causing motor blockade. Previous studies have shown that the PENG block reduces pain scores and improves functional mobility in both acute and chronic hip pain; however, its analgesic effect may be time-limited, requiring repeated applications in some patients.
Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), unlike conventional thermal radiofrequency, aims to modulate nerve transmission without causing tissue destruction and may provide longer-lasting analgesia through neuromodulatory mechanisms. Recent evidence suggests that combining PRF with peripheral nerve blocks may prolong analgesic effects compared with nerve blocks alone. However, prospective studies directly comparing PENG block alone with PENG block combined with PRF in chronic hip pain are limited, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Interventions
- Procedure PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequency
This intervention consists of a stepwise, two-stage treatment protocol routinely applied in our clinical practice for the management of chronic hip pain. In the first stage, all patients undergo an ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) following the diagnostic block. Only patients who demonstrate a clinically meaningful response, defined as a reduction of 50% or greater in
Primary outcome measures
- Change in pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10; higher scores indicate worse pain) [Time frame: baseline (pre-procedure) and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure.]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Change in Pain, Stiffness, and Physical Function Measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC, 0-96) [Time frame: baseline (pre-procedure) and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure.]
- Change in Hip Function Measured by the Harris Hip Score (HHS, 0-100) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-procedure), 1 week, 1 month (primary functional endpoint), 3 months, and 6 months after pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment.]
- Secondary Outcome: TAnalgesic Use [Time frame: Baseline and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Presence of chronic hip pain lasting at least 3 months
- Baseline Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥ 4
- Clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis
- Inadequate response to conservative treatments
Exclusion criteria
- Local or systemic infection at the intervention site
- Coagulopathy or inability to discontinue anticoagulant therapy
- Hip pain related to malignancy
- History of previous hip arthroplasty
- Severe neurological deficit
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Ankara Bilkent City Hospital — Ankara
Publications
- Jadon A. Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) of Pericapsular Nerves Group (PENG) in Chronic Hip Pain-A Case Report. Turk J Anaesthesiol Reanim. 2021 Dec;49(6):490-493. doi: 10.5152/TJAR.2021.1080. PMID 35110031
- 10.5152/TJAR.2021.21230
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07360093 · E2-2613941