BCOS becomes one of the first and few to offer innovative procedure for long term relief of debilitating knee pain.
For patients suffering from chronic knee pain, there’s a new option that can provide long-lasting relief. In fact, this innovative, non-surgical treatment is changing the game for patients at Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists (BCOS).
“I want people to know that just because they’ve tried other treatments for knee pain doesn’t mean they’re out of options. A genicular nerve block and ablation may be the answer,” says BCOS’ director of regenerative medicine, Sean P. Butler D.O., who is a pain management and interventional specialist, and one of the first doctors in the area to utilize this procedure to relieve chronic knee pain.
What is a genicular nerve block and ablation for the knee?
The genicular nerve block and ablation are performed via injection and work by disrupting the pain signal from the nerves around the knee. This non-surgical procedure can provide pain relief that lasts anywhere from six months to a year or longer, and the treatment can be repeated every six months if necessary.
“It is safe, quick, effective and has been highly successful for our patients,” says Butler. “For many people with chronic knee pain, this straightforward procedure has been a revelation. We’ve helped patients avoid or stop using opioids for pain management and significantly improved their quality of life.”
While the procedure itself is fairly new, the technique is not. “It is a technique we’ve already been using for many years for back pain,” explains Dr. Butler. “So, it’s time tested from a procedural and safety standpoint.”
Who is a good candidate for genicular nerve block and ablation?
One of the best aspects of this procedure is that it is a viable option for almost all patients suffering from chronic knee pain. “Luckily, there are very few people who don’t qualify for this,” says Butler. “Especially for patients who have suffered from long-term, chronic knee pain, but don’t want to or can’t have a knee replacement, this procedure can provide life-changing relief.” Even if the patient has already had a knee replacement and still has pain, the treatment can be used to provide additional relief.
Another group of patients who benefit from this procedure are those who are trying to avoid or reduce the amount of opioids they take. “Patients with chronic knee pain that fails to respond to other therapies are often prescribed opiate medication,” notes Butler. “With this procedure, many patients have been able to successfully stop taking those drugs.”
What happens during the genicular nerve block and ablation for the knee?
The term “genicular” describes various nerves that surround the knee. When a patient suffers from chronic issues, such as osteoarthritis, these nerves often send pain signals that are intense and endless. The genicular nerve block and ablation can halt this cycle of pain.
The procedure is done in two parts. The first appointment is diagnostic and tests a patient’s response to numbing the genicular nerves. The patient keeps a diary to log their pain relief and if they experience 50% improvement or more, they return for the ablation procedure, in which radio frequency is used to block the nerve and provide long-term pain relief. For both procedures, “patients can walk out, go home, and basically live their normal life,” says Butler. “There is virtually no downtime.”
“There are multiple genicular nerves that we target for this procedure, and we do injections in 3 different positions around the knee using x-ray guided imaging for safety and accuracy,” explains Dr. Butler. “While sedation is available, most patients choose only a local anesthetic. The procedure itself only takes five to ten minutes. Side effects are minimal and pain relief begins almost immediately – in 20 to 30 minutes.”
Genicular Nerve Block and Ablation Patient Story
Dr Butler has seen firsthand how this treatment can dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life. He shares, “I had a 75-yr-old patient who had chronic pain due to severe arthritis in both knees. Because of some other medical conditions, she was not a candidate for knee replacement. She was taking pain medications and was extremely upset that she was going to have to live with this forever, without any other treatment. When we did the temporary nerve block to test her responsiveness to the therapy, she experienced an 80% improvement. Then we did her radio frequency ablation and she also received 80% improvement. She was actually able to stop her opiate medication and was thrilled with her results.”
With outcomes like these, Dr. Butler is delighted to be able to offer this treatment to BCOS patients. “As a pain management specialist, I enjoy seeing patients experience fast relief and get back to daily activities. The nerve block and ablation procedure for chronic knee pain is an innovative use of a proven technique. I’m really proud to be one the first doctors in the area providing it to patients for pain relief that’s not only fast, but also long-lasting.”
Could a genicular nerve block and ablation help your knee pain?
If you have been suffering from constant pain in your knee that has not responded to other treatment options, a genicular nerve block and ablation could provide the relief you’ve been looking for. Especially for patients suffering from late-stage osteoarthritis, who don’t want or can’t have knee replacement surgery and want to avoid opioid medication – a genicular nerve block and ablation could be the simple answer to complex problem. “There are very few people who are not good candidates for this treatment,” asserts Dr. Butler.
To find out if this 10-minute, non-surgical treatment could benefit you, contact Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists to schedule an appointment with Dr. Butler at 215-348-7000.
About Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists
Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists (BCOS) is the largest orthopedic practice in the community, serving the Bucks and Montgomery County region for over 40 years. The multi-specialty practice has fellowship-trained physicians from leading university hospitals, achieving exceptional results using state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatments with a commitment from the total team to provide seamless, personalized care from start to finish. BCOS surgeons perform thousands of surgeries each year and have offices in Doylestown and Warrington. To learn more visit: www.bucksortho.com.
