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Genicular Nerve Block
A genicular nerve block is a targeted injection that delivers anesthetic medication to the genicular nerves — the small sensory nerves that supply the knee joint and transmit pain signals to the brain.
What is a Genicular Nerve Block?
A genicular nerve block is a targeted injection that delivers anesthetic medication to the genicular nerves — the small sensory nerves that supply the knee joint and transmit pain signals to the brain. This procedure serves two important purposes: it can provide immediate, meaningful pain relief for patients with chronic knee pain, and it acts as a diagnostic test to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for the longer-lasting genicular nerve ablation procedure. At River Cities Interventional Pain Specialists, genicular nerve blocks are performed under fluoroscopic guidance for precise, accurate delivery.
What To Expect
The procedure is quick and straightforward, typically completed in 20–30 minutes:
✔️ You'll be positioned on a procedure table and the knee area will be cleaned and numbed.
✔️ Using fluoroscopic imaging, Dr. Brewer precisely guides a needle to each of the 3–5 genicular nerve target points around the knee.
✔️ A small volume of local anesthetic is injected at each location.
✔️ You should notice a significant reduction in knee pain within 15–30 minutes if the genicular nerves are a primary source of your pain.
✔️ You'll be monitored briefly and then released to go home — you'll need a driver for the day.
Results and Recovery
Recovery is minimal. You may experience mild soreness at the injection sites for 24–48 hours. Most patients resume their normal activities the following day. Because the block uses local anesthetic rather than steroid, the pain relief is typically temporary (hours to days) — but that response is clinically meaningful. It tells us whether genicular nerve ablation, which offers much longer-lasting relief, is the right next step for you.
WHO IS THIS BEST FOR?
A genicular nerve block is a great starting point for patients who:
✔️ Have chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis or post-surgical changes
✔️ Have not achieved adequate relief from cortisone injections, physical therapy, or medications
✔️ Are being evaluated for genicular nerve ablation and need a diagnostic confirmation
✔️ Want a quick, office-based option for temporary knee pain relief
✔️ Are not ready for or cannot undergo knee replacement surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
No — the anesthetic used in a diagnostic block wears off within hours to a day. The block's primary value is diagnostic: if you experience significant relief, it confirms that genicular nerve ablation (a longer-lasting procedure) is likely to work well for you.
No. A genicular nerve block addresses pain signals, not the underlying joint damage. For patients with advanced arthritis, it's a way to manage pain and improve quality of life without surgery, not a structural repair.
Typically 3–5 target points around the knee are injected. The superior lateral, superior medial, and inferior medial genicular nerves are the most commonly targeted, with others included based on your pain pattern.
A cortisone injection goes directly into the joint space and reduces inflammation inside the knee. A genicular nerve block targets the nerves outside the joint that carry pain signals. They work by very different mechanisms and can complement each other as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
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