Alcohol ablation of genicular nerves for osteo-arthritis- I am proud to introduce an advanced pain relieving procedure to another advanced biological procedure PRS treatment for knee arthritis,

This combined procedure was done for the first time in India for this patient. See the patient’s testimonial here

Combination of Alcohol Ablation of Genicular Nerves and Platelet-Rich stroma (PRS) Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis:

A First Case Report by Dr. A.K. Venkatachalam at Madras Joint Replacement Centre

Introduction

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and debilitating condition, particularly among the elderly. Traditional treatments often fail to provide long-term relief, prompting the exploration of innovative therapies. This case report documents the first known combination of alcohol ablation of genicular nerves and platelet-rich stroma (PRS) therapy in India, performed by Dr. A.K. Venkatachalam at the Madras Joint Replacement Centre.

Case Presentation

Patient Profile:

Age: 49 years

Gender: Female

History: Chronic knee pain for over 5years, unresponsive to conservative treatments. Was recommended TKR elsewhere

Procedure:

Alcohol Ablation:

Technique: Ultrasound-guided injection of ethanol into the genicular nerves.

Objective: To disrupt pain signal transmission by inducing neurolysis.

Outcome: Immediate reduction in pain intensity post-procedure.

PRS Therapy:

Technique: Injection of autologous PRP and SVF into the knee joint.

Objective: To promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation.

Outcome: Gradual improvement in knee function and further pain reduction over the following weeks.

Results

Pain Relief: The patient reported a significant decrease in pain, with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score reduction from 9/10 to 3/10 within 5 Hours.

Functional Improvement: Enhanced mobility and ability to perform daily activities without significant discomfort.

Discussion

The combination of alcohol ablation and PRS therapy leverages the strengths of both treatments:

Alcohol Ablation: Provides immediate and effective pain relief by targeting the genicular nerves.

PRS Therapy: Enhances tissue healing and reduces inflammation, contributing to long-term improvement.

This dual approach addresses both the symptomatic and underlying pathological aspects of knee OA, offering a comprehensive treatment strategy.

Conclusion

This case report demonstrates the potential of combining alcohol ablation of genicular nerves with PRS therapy as an effective treatment for knee OA. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are needed to validate these findings and establish standardized protocols.

References

Butarbutar, J., et al. (2023). “Ultrasound-guided Genicular Nerve Ablation with Alcohol Solution for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Series.” Medicinus1.

Elashmawy, M. M., et al. (2022). “Ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block versus alcoholic neurolysis for treatment of advanced knee osteoarthritis patients.” The Egyptian Rheumatologist2.