Effectiveness of Genicular Nerve Block and Platelet Rich Plasma versus Platelet Rich Plasma alone in Primary Knee Osteoarthritis: A Quasi-Experimental Study

AKM Ashraful  Haque; Muhammed Shamsul  Arefin; Md. Ahad  Hosssain; Md Mazharul  Alam; Rahnuma Maria  Rimi; Md Anamul  Haque; Shamima  Akhtar; Subrata Kumar  Mandal; A K M  Akhtaruzzaman

doi:10.62848/bjpain.v4i1.5719

Authors

AKM Ashraful Haque Registrar, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka
Muhammed Shamsul Arefin Junior Consultant, National Institute of Neuro Sciences & Hospital, Dhaka
Md. Ahad Hosssain Junior Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2204-6506
Md Mazharul Alam Consultant, Bangladesh Korea Friendship Hospital, Dhaka
Rahnuma Maria Rimi Consultant, Union Hospital, Coxbazar
Md Anamul Haque Junior Consultant, General Hospital, Faridpur
Shamima Akhtar Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka
Subrata Kumar Mandal Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka
A K M Akhtaruzzaman Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2427-1863

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62848/bjpain.v4i1.5719

Keywords:

Pain, Knee Osteoarthritis, Platelet Rich Plasma, Genicular Nerve Block, Numerical Rating Scale.

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder resulting from loss of joint cartilage and underlying bone, which causes pain and loss of function. The treatment of knee OA is still a challenge because of the poor self-regeneration capacity of cartilage. Recently, several studies suggested that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is safe and effective in primary knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and genicular nerve block (GNB) would be beneficial in reducing post-PRP pain in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to observe the effectiveness of GNB in reducing pain associated with PRP therapy in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: This Quasi-experimental study was carried out for 18 months after getting permission from the Ethical Review Committee of Dhaka Medical College. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups (25 in each group) by computer generation random number table. Group A received intra-articular PRP only and Group B received GNB before PRP injection. The patient’s pain was assessed by NRS score and the patient’s analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours after giving PRP was recorded. Finally, patient satisfaction was evaluated by a Likert scale and compared between the groups.
Result: A total of 50 patients were included in this study. The NRS score was significantly reduced after receiving PRP between the groups (P<0.05). The analgesic requirement was significantly reduced in group B (P<0.05). However, the satisfaction rate was similar in Group A and Group B after 3 months of PRP therapy.
Conclusion: Genicular nerve block with PRP is more effective in reducing post-PRP injection pain in patients with primary knee OA.