Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Before Meniscal Transplant - A Case Report
Rosana Pinheiro1*, José Luís Carvalho2, Tiago Lopes3, Adriana Pascoal4, Luís Oliveira5, Eugénio Gonçalves6, Mariana Martins7 and Raquel Araújo8
1Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde do Nordeste, Portugal, +351936108293
2Interventional Physiatry Unit, Centro de Reabilitação do Norte, Portugal.
3Interventional Physiatry Unit, Centro de Reabilitação do Norte, Portugal.
4Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Centro de Reabilitação Rovisco Pais, Portugal.
5Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Centro de Reabilitação do Norte, Portugal.
6Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Portugal.
7Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal.
8Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Portugal.
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Rosana Pinheiro, Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Unidade Local de Saúde do Nordeste, Portugal, +351936108293
Received: January 08, 2023 Published: February 14, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAOR.2023.03.038
Abstract
Case Description: A 47-year-old male with left knee pain after partial medial meniscectomy and arthroscopic chondral microfractures, was proposed for meniscal transplantation in 2019. Patient’s knee pain was described as a moderate constant pain (6/10 in Visual Numeric Scale, VNS), with major interference in daily activity. Previous conservative treatment (physical therapy and oral analgesic medication) showed no substantial result. An intra-articular injection with hyaluronic acid and intra-articular of autologous platelet-rich plasma had also been performed without long term pain relief.
Results: The patient underwent genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which resulted in long lasting pain relief. At six months of follow-up, patient reported a pain reduction, with VNS 0/10.
Discussion: Genicular nerve RFA shows promising results in both pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis. There is no data evaluating the efficacy of pain control before meniscal transplantation, with genicular nerve RFA. In our case, patient reported no pain after treatment and no need for analgesic treatment during this follow-up.
Conclusion: Genicular nerve RFA seems to be a treatment option to fill the gap between conservative treatment and invasive surgery, even in patients with non-osteoarthritis related chronic knee pain.
Keywords: Radiofrequency ablation, genicular nerve, meniscal transplantation, knee pain.
Citation: Pinheiro R, Carvalho JL, Lopes T, Pascoal A, Oliveira L, Gonçalves E, Martins M, Araujo R. Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Before Meniscal Transplant - A Case Report. SVOA Orthopaedics 2023, 3:1, 17-21.