Efficacy of Genicular Nerve Alcohol Neurolysis in Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

Alcohol neurolysis of the genicular nerve is a procedure that involves injecting alcohol around the nerve branches that supply sensation to the knee joint. The alcohol destroys the nerve fibers and blocks the transmission of pain signals from the knee to the brain. This technique can be used to treat chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA).

Several studies have reported that alcohol neurolysis of the genicular nerve can provide significant pain relief and functional improvement in patients with knee OA or postoperative pain. For example, Dass et al. (1) reported two cases of alcohol neurolysis of the genicular nerve using fluoroscopy and ultrasonography in patients with knee OA or persistent postsurgical pain of the knee. Both patients had more than 50% reduction in their numerical rating scale (NRS) scores and improved range of motion and quality of life at 3 months follow-up.

Ultrasonography-guided genicular nerve alcohol neurolysis is prominent with its easy applicability and low cost. There are no studies in the literature evaluating the efficacy of genicular nerve alcohol neurolysis for chronic knee OA. In this prospective study, the investigators will evaluate the NRS and WOMAC scores of patients who underwent genicular nerve alcohol neurolysis for chronic knee OA before, 1, and 3 months after the procedure. In addition, the incidence of procedure-related adverse events (such as paresthesia) recorded in patient records will be analyzed.

• Dass RM et al. Alcohol neurolysis of genicular nerve for chronic knee pain. Korean J Pain 2019; 32 (3): 223-227. https://www.epain.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.3344/kjp.2019.32.3.223

Inclusion criteria

• Moderate to severe knee pain due to knee osteoarthritis (0-10 pain of intensity 6 and above on an inter-numeric pain scale)
• Permanent pain for more than 6 months
• Grade 3 or 4 in the radiological Kellgren-Lawrence classification having osteoarthritis
• Pain with conservative methods such as analgesics and physiotherapy treatment failure

Exclusion criteria

• History of intra-articular knee intervention in the last 6 months
• Cognitive impairment
• Hepatic or renal insufficiency
• Severe psychiatric illness
• Local or systemic infection
• Coagulopathy