Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Before Meniscal Transplant - A Case Report

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.