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Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 62. No. Supplement 4, 2023.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2023.62.s4.5

Therapeutic Genicular Nerve Block for Chronic Pain Management in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Vlasta Orlić Karbić ; Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, Emergency and Intensive medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia *
Alan Šustić† ; Clinic of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Department of Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, Emergency and Intensive medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

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Abstract

Background: Therapeutic genicular nerve block (TGNB) is both an effective and
safe treatment procedure for pain related to chronic osteoarthritis of the knee (OA). It is most common
amongst the elderly. It is characterized by joint stiffness, pain and disability.
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the analgesic and functional impact of ultrasound-guided
TGNB in patients with chronic knee OA and to evaluate the efficacy of local anesthetics and corticosteroids.
Patients and methods: The study included 20 patients. Pain was assessed according to the numerical
pain scale (NRS), and improvement of the functional capacity was assessed according to
the WOMAC Index (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index). SLGN,
SMGN and IMGN were identified, and 3 mL of a mixture of local anesthetic (ropivacaine 0.75%)
and corticosteroid (triamcinolone 40 mg) were applied to each nerve.
Results: The average NRS value before TGNB was 5.1, and the WOMAC score was 58.55. After
the TGNB was performed, NRS was 2.4 (47% decrease in pain intensity) and WOMAC was 30.1
(51% decrease in the intensity of ailment).
Conclusion: TGNB is effective and not harmful in treating pain and enhances the functional
capacity in patients with knee OA. The clinical benefits of corticosteroid administration suggest that
it may be an appropriate adjuvant in TGNB for knee OA.

Keywords

chronic pain, knee osteoarthritis; genicular nerves; ultrasound; therapeutic genicular nerve block; NRS; WOMAC index

Hrčak ID:

315814

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/315814

Publication date:

1.11.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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