Genicular Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Knee Pain: A Case Presentation

This is the first reported case presentation utilizing cooled genicular radiofrequency ablation (C-RFA) for the treatment of post-traumatic knee pain. The patient is a 29-year-old man who sustained open right femoral and tibial fractures following 2 motor vehicle collisions. He was deemed too young to undergo total knee arthroplasty by orthopedic surgery. It was recommended he trial diagnostic genicular nerve blocks followed by C-RFA. The procedure provided a >50% reduction in average pain with an increase in activity tolerance lasting 9 months. In this case, C-RFA of the genicular nerves was a safe, effective, and durable treatment modality for post-traumatic knee pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.