Knee Osteoarthritis Treated by Ultrasound-guided Genicular Nerve Block Combined with IPACK Block: Case Report

The prevalence rate of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in China ranks first among all types of OA. A nerve block is a crucial intervention method for treating the pain of KOA patients in the early and middle stages. This paper aims to analyze the mechanism of ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block (GNB) combined with infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee (IPACK) block in treating KOA pain by reporting the diagnosis and treatment of a KOA patient.

The patient, a 71-year-old woman, complained of "intermittent knee joint pain for several years, aggravated and with limited mobility for one month" and was treated in the outpatient department of the Yanbian University Hospital. After a physical and auxiliary examination, it was diagnosed as bilateral KOA, Kellgren-Lawrence level II, and GNB combined with IPACK block was proposed.

GNB can achieve analgesia in front of the knee joint, eliminate aseptic inflammation and edema of patella medial plica (PMP), and assist with postoperative rehabilitation exercise, which is conducive to early improvement of lower limb function. IPACK block has a good analgesic effect behind the knee joint. The combination of GNB and IPACK block may play an essential role in future KOA pain treatment.