Affiliation:
1. School of Medicine and University Hospital “Dr Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez”, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon
2. School of Medicine and University Hopsital “Dr Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez“, Invest-KER Unit, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
Abstract
Objectives:
Genicular nerve block (GNB) has emerged as a novel nonsurgical therapy for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The objective was to evaluate GNB versus placebo and other intra-articular (IA) therapies.
Methods:
The Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched from their inception to January 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. A random-effects model and the generic inverse variance method were used for quantitative data synthesis. Heterogeneity was tested with the I
2 index.
Results:
Regarding pain statistically significant scores were demonstrated at 1 and 3 months overall total effect of 1.43 (95% CI, 0.86, 1.99; P=0.00001; I
2=85%). Similarly, for knee function a total effect of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.35, 1.06; P=0.00001; I
2=69%) at 1 and 3 months, statistically significant. The minimal clinically important difference regarding pain was achieved at 1 and 3 months.
Discussion:
Although, GNB achieved the MCID for KOA pain and statistically significant results for knee functions. We cannot recommend its routine use besides being a safe procedure so far, evidence is fair on GNB for primary KOA due to study heterogeneity and limited follow-up.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)