The Genicular Nerve Blockade (GNB) is used to obstruct the nerve signals in the knee for a short period. This randomized controlled trial supported the use of revised targets for GNB for effective pain relief and improved joint function.

To compare the efficacy of GNB via classical anatomical targets (CT) contrasted with the revised targets (RT) in knee osteoarthritis pain.

Fifty-five patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain were administered with a GNB (via lidocaine 1% 2 mL plus triamcinolone 20 mg). These patients were divided into 2 groups based on the type of target used i.e CT-group or classical targets (28 patients) and RT-group or revised targets (27 patients).

At the starting point, and 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks, the different health assessment tools [Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index score (WOMAC), Numeric rating pain scale (NRS), Quantitative analgesic questionnaire, Oxford knee score] were used to evaluate pain, analgesic use, and physical function.

Greater NRS mean score reduction at 1 hour was observed in the RT group. Also, the patients in the RT group had more than 50% knee pain decrease with statistically significant only after 1 hour (82.1% versus 100%). Till 12 weeks, both the groups had significant pain relief and joint function recovery.

At 1 hour, the RT group had more pain relief and a greater percentage of effective responders was observed. The sizable volume of therapeutic GNB administered could have balanced the absence of accuracy of the CT, lessening differences in outcomes between both the targets.