Efficacy Ultrasound-guided Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Treatment

Radiofrequency (RF) application is a treatment method that temporarily blocks pain transmission in the nerve where the application is made, through the heat emitted by radio waves. Genicular nerve ablation with RF has recently become a promising treatment option for the treatment of chronic knee pain. These methods are based on the principle that interfering with the sensory nerve fibers of a painful structure can relieve pain and restore function. Their targets are sensory nerves located on the periosteum before entering the knee joint capsule. The knee joint is innervated by a complex nerve network called genicular nerves, which are articular branches of many nerves such as the femoral, tibial, peroneal, saphenous and obturator nerves. Some of the genicular nerves can be easily localized. The intermedius genicular nerve carries the sensation of subpatellar pain. The intermedius genicular nerve is located under the vastus intermedius muscle, anterior to the distal femoral shaft, just above the bony cortex. Targeting sensory nerves in addition to standard procedures and improving target identification using ultrasound guidance may increase treatment success. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided genicular nerve radiofrequency therapy on pain and knee function by targeting only the traditional 3 genicular nerves and the intermedius genicular nerve in addition to the traditional genicular nerves in advanced gonarthrosis patients with prominent anterior knee pain.