Electrical nerve stimulation for moderate to severe knee arthritis pain

Plain-English translation of NCT07637682 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a pain management technique called peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)—a drug-free procedure that uses gentle electrical impulses to interrupt pain signals from the knee. Researchers will target two specific nerves to see if this treatment can help people with moderate to severe knee arthritis who haven't had success with other approaches. The electrical stimulation is temporary and non-invasive, delivered through a small device placed on the skin.

Many people with severe knee arthritis struggle to manage pain using standard treatments like oral medications or physical therapy, and other options like injections or surgery can be expensive or not suitable for everyone. This trial aims to prove that peripheral nerve stimulation can be an affordable, accessible alternative for patients who are running out of options.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 30 and 70 years old
you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis and experience chronic knee pain
you have tried at least two different oral pain medications that didn't work well enough
you have completed at least 6 weeks of physical therapy without satisfactory pain relief
you cannot afford or do not want other treatments like injections or radiofrequency ablation

You likely don't qualify if…

you experienced significant pain improvement from physical therapy alone
you are a surgical candidate for knee surgery due to conditions other than arthritis
you are pregnant
you are taking blood thinners that cannot be safely stopped
you have a history of diabetes, nerve disease, knee tumors, inflammatory arthritis, or severe knee injuries

What participation looks like

You would receive temporary electrical nerve stimulation through a small device placed on your skin over specific nerves in the knee area. The researchers would test stimulation of two different nerves (the genicular nerve and the saphenous nerve) to see which approach works best for your pain. The procedure is non-invasive, and you would remain awake and alert throughout, with the ability to describe how you feel as the stimulation is adjusted.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 11, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

Egypt

Faculty of medicine, Tanta University, Tanta