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Radiofrequency Therapy for Pain Management in Dogs

Canine
older labrador retriever

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and pulse-dosed radiofrequency (PRF) are therapies used in people to treat chronic pain, including osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Neither has been researched in dogs for chronic pain management but could be highly effective, long-lasting means of relieving OA pain when other treatments fail.

Eligibility: Dogs seen by the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) with stifle (knee) pain that is difficult to control with other treatments.

Compensation:  Any tests or procedures unrelated to the study are the responsibility of the owner.

Owner Responsibilities: If you agree to let your dog participate in this study, you will be responsible to bring your dog to the CUHA for the procedure which will involve your dog being walked on a force-mat walkway to assess how he/she uses his/her limbs. Afterwards your dog with either be heavily sedated or anesthetized for the radiofrequency procedure and can go home the same day. We ask you then bring your dog back to be walked across the force-mat again at 2 and 4 weeks, and again at 3 months after the procedure. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire at each visit.