Genicular nerve injections introduction Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the leading causes of pain and disability worldwide.
Genicular nerve injections introduction Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the leading causes of pain and disability worldwide. The global age-standardized prevalence of KOA has been estimated at 3.8% and it is the 12th leading cause of disability. Sports medicine and orthopedic providers should be familiar with nonsurgical options for patients and the options and research is ever changing.
Genicular nerve injections or nerve blocks may provide an additional option for pain relief. Aging of the population and increasing prevalence of obesity are associated with the increasing prevalence of knee OA, which has become a worldwide problem. Therefore, the need for efficacious, reliable and cost-effective treatment modalities have been emphasized.
Treatment modalities for knee OA include non-pharmacological interventions (education, exercising, orthotic prescriptions, electrotherapy), pharmacological therapies (paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], topical agents and chondroprotective drugs), non-surgical procedures (intra-articular steroid and hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma [PRP], acupuncture) and surgical interventions (arthroscopy, arthroplasty). However, in spite of all these treatment modalities, adequate pain control may not be achieved in patients with knee OA. Genicular nerve block (GNB) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have recently emerged as novel alternatives in the treatment of chronic knee pain.
These methods are based on the principle that interrupting sensory nerve fibers to a painful structure may alleviate pain and restore function. Their targets are sensory nerves which lie on the periosteum before entering the knee joint capsule and can easily be located using bony landmarks under fluoroscopic guidance. The success of GNB and RFA depends on the target nerve being included within the anaesthetized or thermocoagulated tissue volume.
It requires precise localization of the articular branches innervating the knee joint capsule, given the limited size of RFA lesions. This may explain the variable results of these studies in terms of intensity and duration of the pain relief. Optimizing the effectiveness of the technique relies on lesioning more genicular nerves, in an accurate and safe manner.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to genicular nerve injections, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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