Osteoarthritis (OA) of the HipPENG-PRFNCT07360093
PENG Block & PENG PRF
An observational study of Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hip, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hip
- What is being tested?
- PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequency
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 84 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 28 Feb 2027
- How long will I take part?
- 6 Months
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: 18-80 years old with chronical hip pain
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital
Ankara, 06680
Ulku Sabuncu Assoc. Prof., 905337085212
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Clinical Effectiveness of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block and Pulsed Radiofrequency Applications in Chronic Hip Pain
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.
Read the 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
- Being tested
- PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequency
- Keywords
- Osteoarthritis, Hip,, Pain, Chronic, Nerve Blockade, Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment
- Medical subject headings
- Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis, Hip, Chronic Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequencyProcedure or surgery
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group PENG | The initial step in patients diagnosed with chronic hip pain is a diagnostic intervention, namely the application of a pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block. In patients who benefit from the diagnostic block-defined as a reduction of 50% or more in VAS scores following the procedure-pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment is added as a second-stage intervention. This stepwise approach reflects standard clinical practice, and both procedures are commonly used in clinical praqctice for the management of chronic hip pain. However, the available evidence in the literature on this approach is largely limited to case reports and retrospective case series. The aim of the present study is to document and share the clinical outcomes of this treatment strategy routinely applied in clinical practice. Receives: Procedure: PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequency |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10; higher scores indicate worse pain)
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a validated pain measurement tool ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.
Measured: baseline (pre-procedure) and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Pain, Stiffness, and Physical Function Measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC, 0-96)
Pain, stiffness, and physical function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; total score range 0-96, with higher scores indicating worse symptoms and functional limitation). The change in WOMAC total score from baseline to 1 month following pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment was evaluated as a secondary outcome.
Additional analyses included changes in WOMAC subscale scores (pain, stiffness, and physical function) at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention. A clinically meaningful improvement was defined as a ≥20% reduction in the total WOMAC score compared with baseline.
Measured: 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)
Hip pain and functional status were evaluated using the Harris Hip Score (HHS; total score range 0-100, with higher scores indicating better hip function). The HHS assesses four domains: pain, function (activities of daily living and gait), absence of deformity, and range of motion.
The change in total HHS from baseline to 1 month after pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment was analyzed as a secondary outcome. Additional assessments were performed at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention to evaluate the sustainability of functional improvement.
A clinically meaningful improvement was defined as an increase of ≥10 points in the total HHS compared with baseline.
Measured: Baseline (pre-procedure), 1 week, 1 month (primary functional endpoint), 3 months, and 6 months after pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment.
Secondary Outcome: TAnalgesic Use
The following parameters were evaluated as secondary outcomes:
Analgesic consumption: Changes in daily analgesic dose and frequency of use were recorded and compared between baseline and post-intervention follow-up visits.
Measured: Baseline and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026
- Primary completion1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Osteoarthritis (OA) of the HipStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 6 Months
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ülkü Sabuncu, Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07360093
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E2-2613941
- Acronym
- PENG-PRF
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
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.
PubMed 3511003110.5152/TJAR.2021.21230
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Clinical Effectiveness of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block and Pulsed Radiofrequency Applications in Chronic Hip Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07360093
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PENG-PRF / E2-2613941
- Conditions
- Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hip
- Keywords
- Osteoarthritis, Hip,, Pain, Chronic, Nerve Blockade, Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara City Hospital BilkentUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 28 Feb 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Target follow-up
- 6 Months
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group PENG | – | Procedure: PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequencyThe initial step in patients diagnosed with chronic hip pain is a diagnostic intervention, namely the application of a pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block. In patients who benefit from the diagnostic block-defined as a reduction of 50% or more in VAS scores following the procedure-pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment is added as a second-stage intervention. This stepwise approach reflects standard clinical practice, and both procedures are commonly used in clinical praqctice for the management of chronic hip pain. However, the available evidence in the literature on this approach is largely limited to case reports and retrospective case series. The aim of the present study is to document and share the clinical outcomes of this treatment strategy routinely applied in clinical practice. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- 18-80 years old with chronical hip pain
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PENG Block Pulsed radiofrequencyThis 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. | Procedure or surgery | Group PENG |
Primary outcome
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.
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a validated pain measurement tool ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable.
3 secondary outcomes
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
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Mar 2026.
- Background: PubMed 35110031Jadon 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.
- Background10.5152/TJAR.2021.21230
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Hip, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ulku Sabuncu MD, Assoc. prof. (+905337085212, sabuncuulku@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
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.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07360093, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Mar 2026.