A solution to knee pain: Everything about the Genicular Nerve Block vaccine

Do you have an elderly mother or father in your family who is suffering from knee pain? Or maybe you yourself are suffering from this pain? Those who know know how annoying it is to have a sore knee that makes it difficult to climb a flight of stairs, walk a short distance, or go to a temple. Even taking various medicines and applying various oils, sometimes this pain does not subside. In such cases, we are going to talk about a special treatment method that doctors recommend.

Simply put, what is Genicular Nerve Block?

It's very simple. A genicular nerve block involves injecting a painkiller near several nerves that are sending pain to your knee. Just like turning off a light switch, this injection temporarily shuts off the "nerve wires" that carry pain from your knee to your brain. This gives you temporary relief from pain. Sometimes this relief can last for a long time.

Now let's look at the nerves around this knee. Our knee joint is divided into branches that come from several main nerves to function properly. Those main nerves are:

• Femoral nerve
• Common peroneal nerve
• Saphenous nerve
• Tibial nerve
• Obturator nerve

The small branches that branch out from these nerves around the knee are called the "Genicular Nerves." The word "Genicular" literally means "related to the knee." These nerves are what send sensations in the knee, especially pain, to the brain. Doctors mainly target these four Genicular nerves when they give this injection.

1. Superolateral genicular nerve (SLGN)

2. Superomedial genicular nerve (SMGN)

3. Inferomedial genicular nerve (IMGN)

4. Inferolateral genicular nerve (ILGN)

But there's a little thing here. Doctors only inject three of these four. They don't inject the last one , the Inferolateral genicular nerve (ILGN) . The reason for that is that that nerve is located very close to the Common peroneal nerve, which is important for the movement of our feet. If it is injected incorrectly, it can cause a condition where the foot cannot be raised, that is, something like (Foot Drop) , so they avoid that nerve for safety.

Who is this treatment most suitable for?

There are two main reasons for using the genicular nerve block.

1. Relieve long-term knee pain

If you have been having knee pain for a long time, it is a condition we call (Chronic knee pain) . This may be due to a knee injury or, in many cases, (Knee Osteoarthritis) , which is the wear and tear of the knee joint. If you have tried physical therapy, taking painkillers (NSAIDs), and having steroid injections in your knee, but the pain has not subsided, your doctor may suggest this Genicular nerve block.

2. Manage pain after knee surgery

Some people have to undergo Total Knee Arthroplasty , a surgery to replace the entire knee joint. To control the extreme pain that occurs after such a major surgery, the anesthesiologist or surgeon gives this injection before the surgery. This is given in addition to general anesthesia.

What should you do before getting vaccinated?

This usually doesn't require much preparation. However, in some cases, your doctor may decide to give you some sedation (a mild sedative). If you do this, you will be asked to fast for about 6 to 8 hours. You will also be asked to have someone drive you home , as you will not be able to drive that day.

However, your doctor will explain all this to you clearly. Follow those instructions exactly. Never be afraid to ask if you have any questions.

What happens during vaccination? Let's take a step-by-step look at it.

This treatment is usually done on an outpatient basis. This means you don't have to stay in the hospital, and you can go home when the procedure is done. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

What are the benefits of this vaccine?

You can get several benefits from a genicular nerve block.

• Pain relief: The pain is temporarily or perhaps permanently gone, allowing you to carry out your daily activities more easily .
• Reduced swelling: The swelling in the nerves is reduced, helping them to heal.
• Solution for Post-Surgery Pain: A good solution for pain after knee surgery.
• An alternative for those who cannot undergo surgery: For those who cannot undergo knee surgery due to other health problems, this is a good option for pain management.

If your pain is significantly reduced after this injection, your doctor may suggest a treatment called Genicular Nerve Ablation (GNA) as the next step. This involves using radiofrequency to temporarily disable these nerves. GNA treatment can usually provide pain relief for about 18 months.

Are there any risks or complications with this?

There may be some bruising or soreness at the injection site, but this usually subsides within two days.

Major complications are rare , but as with any vaccination, there are some risks that are worth being aware of.

• Infection at the injection site.
• Bleeding from the injection site.
• Accidental injection of medication into a blood vessel .
• Accidentally injecting medicine into the knee joint .
• Foot drop (inability to lift the foot) occurs when the common peroneal nerve, which we discussed earlier, is damaged.

The chances of these things happening are very low because doctors use technology like scans and perform this treatment very carefully.

Can I walk after getting vaccinated?

Yes, you can. You can walk out of the room after the treatment is over. But it's best to rest for a while that day. Then you can go back to your normal activities.

How long will this pain relief last?

This varies greatly from person to person. Pain relief may last for a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or even years. However, relief usually lasts for about 3 months .

When should I call the doctor?

If you develop new symptoms or complications after a genicular nerve block , call your doctor right away . Be especially aware of the following:

• If the injection site is red, swollen, or warm (signs of infection).
• If bleeding continues from the injection site.
• If you feel burning, numbness, or extreme weakness in your legs.

This treatment may be a good solution to your knee pain. However, the results vary from person to person. If you have any concerns or doubts about this injection, talk to your doctor about it openly. He or she will be able to answer all your questions.