Search

Purpose of Review: The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPS) is an under-investigated nerve that can be a source of chronic knee pain. This literature review aims to deliver an up-to-date review of chronic pain transmitted via the IPS along with therapeutic approaches available for pain refractory to conservative measures., Recent Findings: Knee pain transmitted via the IPS can arise from several etiologies. Damage to the IPS is often iatrogenic and develops following total knee arthroplasty, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and other knee surgical procedures. Other causes of IPS-derived pain include entrapment of the nerve, neuromas, Schwannomas, and pain from knee osteoarthritis transmitted through the IPS.This article investigated therapeutic approaches to pain derived from the IPS. Common approaches included radiofrequency ablation, neuroma excisions, Schwannoma excision, nerve blocks, surgical exploration, surgical release of an entrapped nerve, cryoablation, and peripheral nerve stimulation. Pain scores, duration of pain relief, adverse events, and secondary outcomes were all included in this review. A subset of the patient population experiences chronic pain deriving from the IPS that is refractory to conservative treatment measures. This review aims to evaluate the etiologies and therapeutic approaches for chronic pain arising from the IPS refractory to conservative treatments., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose of Review: Trigeminal neuralgia is a sudden, unilateral, stabbing pain in the distribution of one or more branches of the fifth cranial nerve, with an overall prevalence ranging between 0.03 and 0.3%. While conservative treatments may offer temporary relief, many patients experience chronic headaches associated with their neuralgia. Invasive treatments are available for patients with intractable neuralgia; however, they may cause permanent tissue damage and often do not provide relief. This article examines pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) ablation (RFA) of the trigeminal nerve as a minimally invasive procedure that offers a promising alternative to invasive procedures for relief of trigeminal neuralgia while minimizing tissue damage., Recent Findings: Efficacy of PRF and RFA in treating trigeminal neuralgia has been studied before, but literature lacks large size studies. The results of this retrospective study indicate that PRF can be used as a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia that is refractory to conservative measures., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)