- #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
- (403) 265-3838
- (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
- #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
- (403) 265-3838
- (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
For some patients, relief can only be found by disrupting pain signals being sent to the brain from the nerves connected to the facetand/or sacroiliac (SI) joints.
After identifying the nerves generating pain signals through test block injections, our physicians will use image guidance to precisely place a radiofrequency needle over the target nerve. An electrical current is passed through the needle to “ablate”, or burn, the nerve and prevent it from sending a pain signal.
This treatment is intended to be combined with the proper exercises, physical therapy, and proper precautions using your back in order to improve and lengthen the relief. The physiotherapists at Vivo Cura Health can help you with this effort. strengthening muscles which stabilize your back.
The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. You will lie on your stomach. The area to be injected will be scrubbed with an iodine or chlorhexidine solution to clean the area (please tell the physician if you are allergic to iodine solution to the skin).
Local anesthetic similar to that used by your dentist will be injected into the skin, then under the skin and into the deeper tissues. Needles will then be passed down to the nerves to be injected. The nerves will be stimulated to assure proper needle position.
More local anesthetic will be injected to minimize discomfort. The facet joint nerves will be heated for 60 seconds (up to three at one time and up to four in a single sitting). During this time many patients experience a burning sensation. This is completely normal.
After the lesioning is complete, more local anesthetic and sometimes steroids are injected to decrease post-procedure discomfort. The needles are removed, the back is cleansed, and adhesive bandages are applied. You will be observed for approximately 20 to 30 minutes and then discharged in the care of your driver.
You may experience weakness and/or numbness in your legs. For this reason, we require you to bring a driver to your appointment. You should refrain from driving for the rest of the day.
Most patients return to work the next day.
Your back may ache for two weeks or more following the procedure. Oral anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs applied to the back usually help. Relief usually begins approximately three weeks following treatment and can last up to one year.
For some patients, relief from knee pain can only be achieved by disrupting the pain signals sent to the brain by the genicular nerves, which are responsible for transmitting pain from the knee joint.
After identifying the specific genicular nerves generating the pain through diagnostic block injections, our physicians use image guidance to precisely position a radiofrequency needle over the targeted nerve. An electrical current is passed through the needle to “ablate” (or burn) the nerve, effectively blocking its ability to transmit pain signals to the brain.
This treatment is most effective when combined with a comprehensive approach that includes targeted exercises, physical therapy, and proper movement techniques to support knee function. The physiotherapists at Vivo Cura Health can help you strengthen the muscles around your knee, which can improve long-term relief and overall mobility.
The procedure typically takes about 60 minutes. You will be positioned comfortably, depending on the best approach for accessing the genicular nerves in your knee. The area to be treated will be cleaned with an iodine or chlorhexidine solution (please inform your physician if you have an allergy to iodine or any other solution used).
A local anesthetic, similar to what is used by dentists, will be injected into the skin, and then into deeper layers of tissue around the knee to numb the area. Needles will be carefully inserted to reach the target genicular nerves, and the nerves will be gently stimulated to confirm the correct needle placement.
Additional local anesthetic will be injected to minimize discomfort. The genicular nerves will then be heated for 1-2 minutes (up to three nerves at a time, with a maximum of four nerves treated in a single session). Many patients experience a mild burning sensation during this part of the procedure, which is completely normal.
Once the nerve “lesioning” is completed, additional local anesthetic may be injected, and sometimes steroids are used to help reduce any post-procedure discomfort. The needles will be removed, the area will be cleansed, and adhesive bandages will be applied.
You will be monitored for 15 to 30 minutes after the procedure and then discharged into the care of your driver. Due to potential numbness or weakness in the leg, it is important that you bring a driver with you. For your safety, you should avoid driving for the rest of the day.
Your knee may ache a few weeks following the procedure. Oral anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs applied to the knee on top of a wet cloth for 15-20 minutes every couple of hours usually helps. Relief usually begins approximately three weeks following treatment and can last up to one year.
https://viewmedica.com/ondemand-patient-education-videos/see-videos/#A_1d218527
Determining the specific source of knee pain can be challenging. To accurately diagnose the cause, one of our physicians may perform a genicular nerve block, where a local anesthetic (freezing) is injected around the genicular nerves, which are responsible for transmitting pain signals from your knee joint.
If you experience substantial and immediate pain relief following the block, it is likely that those specific nerves are the source of your pain. This can help guide the next steps for longer-lasting treatments, such as injections or genicular nerve ablation (GNA).
On the day of your genicular nerve block, you must be experiencing some degree of your usual knee pain for the procedure to be diagnostic. If you are not experiencing your typical knee pain on the day of your procedure, please contact a Patient Care Coordinator at Vivo Cura Health to reschedule your appointment (403-265-3838).
The procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes. You will be positioned lying down with your knee exposed. The area to be injected will be scrubbed with an iodine or chlorhexidine solution to clean the area (please tell the physician if you are allergic to iodine solution to the skin). Needles will then be passed down to the nerves to be injected. A small amount of x-ray dye will be injected to make sure it flows around the nerve and not into a blood vessel. Then, a small amount of freezing will be injected over the nerves.
The effect will last for about 6 hours (similar to dental freezing). This is strictly a diagnostic block to test if the genicular nerves are in fact the source of your pain. This is why it is very important for you to fill out your pain diary that you will receive for the next hours following your injection. We ask that you input these numbers into the pain diary that will be emailed to you the day following your nerve block.
Once the aesthetic wears off, your pain will likely return and you may have some increased soreness for a day or two.
https://viewmedica.com/ondemand-patient-education-videos/see-videos/#A_1bac3c88
