
- Genicular Neurotomy (aka ablation) is a brand new, innovative option for treating knee pain without surgery.
- The genicular nerves are the nerves that provide sensation and pain into the knee joint.
- There are typically 3 branches targeted with genicular nerve block – the superior medial, the superior lateral, and the interior medial genicular nerves
- The procedure uses a breakthrough technology called Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) to stun the painful nerves and prevent the signals from reaching the brain
- RFA harnesses the energy of radio waves to treat pain at the source, without the need for incisions of any kind
- With RFA there is no need for steroid or cortisone injections, making it ideal for patients with high blood pressure and Diabetes
This procedure is used for a variety of conditions including:
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Chronic Knee Pain
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Total Knee Replacement (before or after)
- Partial Knee Replacement (before or after)
- Patients unfit for knee replacement
- Patients who want to avoid a knee replacement
Genicular Nerve Ablation (Genicular Neurotomy)
- Inexpensive and covered by most insurance
- Performed in your doctor’s office
- Outpatient procedure
- Can be done with only local anesthetic
- Minimal risk of infection
- No need for blood thinners
- Virtually non-existent recovery period
- In many cases, can go back to work the same day
- Little to no postoperative pain, typically controlled with NSAIDs
- Can return to normal activities in a matter of days
VS
Traditional Joint Replacement
- Can be extremely expensive even with good insurance
- Performed in hospital
- Inpatient admission
- Required general anesthesia and regional anesthesia
- Risk of post-surgical or nosocomial infection
- Requires 4 weeks of blood thinners (anticoagulation)
- Long postoperative recovery period requiring inpatient rehab
- Can be weeks to months before returning to work
- Significant postoperative pain
- Can be months before returning to normal activities
This Information was found on the following website:
http://ainsworthinstitute.com/genicular-neurotomy/