The Importance of Knee Blocks Due to Knee Arthritis or Failed Knee Replacement

Severe pain in the knees is a common compliant among those suffering from knee arthritis or who have had a failed knee replacement surgery. This is when pain management doctors in Illinois advise patients to get genicular knee nerve blocks. The treatment is also referred to as neurotomy. Continue reading to learn about the importance of knee blocks for chronic pain caused by knee arthritis or after a failed knee replacement procedure.

The nerves that produce sensation or generate pain in the knee joints are called genicular nerves. These nerves have four targeted branches—the suprapatellar, superior medial, superior lateral and interior medial. The knee blocks are intended to target these four nerves.

Knee Block—How it Works?

Knee blocks are injections that relieve the patient from knee pain. First, the skin is cleaned with antiseptic solution to reduce the chances of infection. Under the X-ray guidance, the doctor determines the exact procedure site and uses a lidocaine to numb the area. It feels like a sting of a bee, but only for a few seconds.

Once the area becomes numb, a knee block injection is injected that consists of steroid and local anesthetics. As soon it is injected, the medication spreads around the nerves. The procedure takes nearly 10 to 15 minutes. Some patients feel pain relief right away while others after a few hours or 3 to 5 days. The patients may notice temporary swelling around the injected site.

The pain relief duration is variable. In some people, it may last for a few days and others may start to feel the pain in the knees again after a few months. If there is a significant reduction in pain, patients may elect to have RFA done to those nerves, which will result in a longer-lasting therapeutic effect. That effect can last 6 months to several years. When the therapeutic effect wears off, repeat knee blocks may be necessary for knee pain management. A combination of the genicular knee block and physical therapycan help patients enjoy quality living and continue to perform routine tasks without any limitations.

Risks of Knee Blocks

Though the procedure is safe and highly effective, there are a few minor risks involved. Some of the side effects that you might be at risk of experiencing include bleeding, drug allergy, and infection. Therefore, it is advisable to get the treatment performed by an experienced pain management doctor.

This is where Health Solutions comes into the picture. Health Solutions is one of the leading pain management clinics in Illinois with a team of experienced pain management doctors. Call on +1.7088029355 to schedule your appointment today!