NCT07360093

PENG Block & PENG PRF

Evaluation of the Clinical Effectiveness of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block and Pulsed Radiofrequency Applications in Chronic Hip Pain

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 84 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hip

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
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 VAS scores, proceed to the second stage of the intervention. In the second stage, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment is applied to the same target region in addition to the PENG block, aiming to achieve longer-lasting analgesia through neuromodulation without tissue destruction.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2027-02-01
• Completion: 2027-02-28
• First posted: 2026-01-22
• Last updated: 2026-03-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)