Effects of Genicular Nerve Block in Knee Osteoarthritis

Overview

Genicular nerve block is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for intractable pain associated with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA). There is increasing support for the neuropathic component to the knee OA pain. Investigators proposed that targeting treatment to the underlying pain mechanism can improve pain management in knee OA. There is a debate on injectable solutions used in nerve blocks. Investigators aimed to investigate the efficacy of genicular nerve block and to determine which solution should be appropriate for patients with knee osteoarthritis who have neuropathic or nociceptive pain.

The patients who participated in this study were selected from outpatients who attended our hospital for knee pain. These 90 patients were who matched the following criteria. All patients had knee pain for more than 3 months. The ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block was performed at the site of the superior lateral, the superior medial, and the inferior medial genicular nerves. Color Doppler was used to identify the arterial structures which serve as landmarks for the corresponding nerves. This method was used to inject a total of 6 mL of lidocaine or 6 mL dextrose or 6 mL saline at 3 separate target sites: the superior lateral, superior medial, and inferior medial genicular nerves. Pain was evaluated with Analog Analogue Scale (VAS), daily living activities with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), maximum distance walked with Lequesne Score, and neuropathic pain was evaluated with painDETECT inquiry form. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at 1st, 4th weeks, and 3rd months after the procedure.