Genicular Nerve Block for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

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 I2 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; I2 =85%). Similarly, for knee function a total effect of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.35, 1.06; P= 0.00001; I2 =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.