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Modified Spared Nerve Injury Surgery Model of Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2022
Infrapatellar nerve damage : A neglected cause of severe localized leg pain
William van Dijk1, Percy van Eerten1, Marc Scheltinga2
1Máxima Medical Center, De Run 4600, Postbus 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
A small portion of patients suffer from severe knee pain following previous knee surgery or a trauma. Awareness among traumatologists regarding a neuropathic origin of this persistent knee pain is poor. Ongoing pain close to the knee may be caused by damage of the infrapatellar nerve (IN). This branch of the saphenous nerve is purely sensory and is at risk for iatrogenic damage due to its superficial medial course. Once recognized using simple tests during physical examination, a variety of treatment modalities may be proposed. However, a standard treatment algorithm was hitherto absent. This study includes 15 patients having IN damage who were offered a step-up regimen including lidocaine injections, pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) or neurectomy. Success (>50% drop in numeric rating scale pain score) was attained in 11 (73% success rate, 9 month median follow-up). The aim of this contribution is to increase knowledge regarding this illusive entity and to discuss the efficacy of our treatment protocol.
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