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Genicular Nerve Block

Pain Treatment Procedure

Genicular Nerve Block

The term “genicular” means “relating to the knee”.[1] There is a collection of genicular or knee nerves that are called superior medial, inferior medial, inferior lateral and superior lateral.[1] If any of them are damaged or irritated, you’ll experience knee pain, but a genicular nerve block (GNB) can help alleviate this.

Pain specialists can target the affected nerve with a GNB to numb the overactive nerve and relieve chronic, stubborn knee pain.[2] You may also hear this procedure referred to as a genicular nerve injection, genicular neurotomy, or diagnostic knee block. It’s often used to both diagnose and treat knee pain, especially when surgery isn’t an option.[3; 2]

How Genicular Nerve Blockades Work

Your pain management specialist uses imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (X-ray) or ultrasound, during a GNB procedure to precisely place a small needle near the genicular nerves around your knee.[4] A local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid, is injected to numb the nerves and quiet pain signals traveling to the brain.[5]

The anesthetic typically starts working within minutes to hours, providing targeted relief right where you need it.[1] For some patients, the effects may last days or weeks.

If you respond well, your doctor may recommend a longer-lasting procedure, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which can effectively “turn off” these nerves for a more extended period.[2]

Conditions Treated with Genicular Nerve Knee Injection

GNBs are used to treat chronic, acute and postoperative knee pain.[1; 5] Your knee is the main weight-bearing joint that takes a lot of abuse from wear and tear in everyday life, sports, and demanding jobs. Lifestyle changes and traditional care can help, but when it’s not enough, a nerve block may ease the pain of the following conditions:

  • Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) [6]
  • Postsurgical pain (after partial or total knee replacement) [6]
  • Knee injuries (ligament or meniscus damage) [2]
  • Chronic knee pain with no definitive cause [3]
  • Failed knee surgery
  • Knee tendinitis
  • Chronic knee pain when the patient is not a surgery candidate [7]

By calming irritated nerves, the injection can both reduce pain and help confirm whether the genicular nerves are the trustworthy source of your discomfort.

Benefits of Genicular Blockades

Your knees work overtime to keep you moving, so if you’re living with pain that limits your mobility or independence, a GNB may help. This powerful procedure offers essential benefits such as:

  • Targeted Pain Relief: The injection works right at the nerves causing pain instead of affecting your whole body [4]
  • Diagnostic Insight: If your pain improves after the injection, it confirms your genicular nerves are involved, helping guide next steps
  • Reduced Reliance on Medication: By providing relief without systemic drugs, nerve blocks may lower your need for opioids or anti-inflammatories [2]
  • Minimally Invasive and Fast Recovery: Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities quickly [1]
  • Bridge to Longer-Lasting Care: Successful nerve blocks can lead to procedures like radiofrequency ablation for extended pain control [1]

Consult a Genicular Neurotomy Pain Specialist for Pain Management

You may be a good candidate for a genicular nerve block if your knee pain hasn’t improved with medications, injections, physical therapy or if surgery isn’t an option for you. It’s also commonly recommended when exam results suggest that overactive genicular nerves are the primary source of your pain.

Your treatment results are enhanced when you choose a pain specialist who understands that managing pain requires a whole-body approach. They’ll combine your nerve block with other conventional and alternative treatments such as physical therapy, lifestyle changes, mind-body exercises, talk therapy, and other interventional pain management options.

Don’t let your knee stop you from walking, moving, or enjoying life. Consult with your pain management physician today to determine if a genicular nerve block could be the breakthrough your knees have been waiting for.

Resources:

  1. Genicular Nerve Block. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed August 30, 2025. Available from:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24823-genicular-nerve-block
  2. Kim DH, Choi SS, Yoon SH, et al. Ultrasound-Guided Genicular Nerve Block for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial of Local Anesthetic Alone or in Combination with Corticosteroid. Pain Physician [Internet]. 2018; 21:41-51. ISSN 1533-3159 Accessed August 30, 2025. Available from: https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=NTAwNg%3D%3D&journal=109
  3. Li Z, Bai Y, Liu C, Gu Y. Efficacy and Temporal Dynamics of Genicular Nerve Block in Primary and Secondary Knee Osteoarthritis for Pain and Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Pain Res [Internet]. 2025;18:3037-3048. Published 2025 Jun 17. doi:10.2147/JPR.S518315 Accessed August 30, 2025. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12182070/
  4. Genicular Nerve Blocks. New York School of Regional Anesthesia NYSORA [Internet]. Published July 5, 2021. Accessed August 30, 2025. Available from: https://www.nysora.com/techniques/lower-extremity/nysora-com-genicular-nerve-blocks
  5. Eberle M, Kazi F, Ervin K, et al. The Genicular Nerve Block for Knee Pain in the Emergency Department. American College of Emergency Physicians ACEP [Internet]. Published October 19, 2023. Accessed August 30, 2025. Available from: https://www.acep.org/emultrasound/newsroom/oct2023/the-genicular-nerve-block-for-knee-pain-in-the-emergency-department
  6. Bhargava, M., Gaur, R., Gonnade, N.M. et al. Comparing effectiveness of 3-needle approach versus 5-needle approach of genicular nerve block on pain and quality of life in chronic osteoarthritis of knee: a double-blinded randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord [Internet]. 25, 978 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07938-5 Accessed August 30, 2025. Available from: https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-024-07938-5
  7. Hasoon J, Orhurhu VJ, Yazdi C. Genicular Nerve Blocks for the Management of Chronic Knee Pain Related to Osteoarthritis – A Case Series. Orthopedic Reviews [Internet]. 2024;16. doi:https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.126046 Accessed August 30, 2025. Available from: https://orthopedicreviews.openmedicalpublishing.org/article/126046-genicular-nerve-blocks-for-the-management-of-chronic-knee-pain-related-to-osteoarthritis-a-case-series
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