Genicular Nerve Block for Knee Pain in the ED

NCT07158736 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB Protocol #858259
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 4

Brief Summary

Patient with atraumatic knee pain without a large knee effusion on x-ray will be randomized to receive either a genicular nerve block (GNB) or standard of care in the emergency department.

Conditions

Knee Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain level

  Measured by numeric rating scale: 0 (minimum value) - 10 (maximum value)

  1 hour post-enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Difference in Duration of Analgesia

  24 hours

• Difference in AP-POQ-RED score

  1 hour after enrollment

• Difference in length of stay in the emergency department

  Average 1 hour

Study Arms (2)

Genicular Nerve Block

EXPERIMENTAL

This arm of patients (17 total) will receive the genicular nerve block for their knee pain.

Procedure: Genicular nerve block with bupivacaine and corticosteroids

Standard of Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This arm of patients (17 total) will receive standard of care analgesia for their knee pain

Other: Standard of Care

Interventions

Standard of Care OTHER

This involves standard of care pain relief for patients who do not receive the genicular nerve block for knee pain, such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioids.

Standard of Care

Genicular nerve block with bupivacaine and corticosteroids PROCEDURE

genicular nerve block with ideal body-weight dosing of bupivacaine 0.5% with 4 mg dexamethasone

Genicular Nerve Block

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Atraumatic knee pain
• \>17 years age
• X-ray of the knee obtained in the ED
• Initial pain score (numeric rating scale) 5-10

You may not qualify if:

• Fracture or dislocation on x-ray
• large knee joint effusion identified on x-ray
• allergy or contraindication to local anesthetics
• History of local anesthetic systemic toxicity after receiving local anesthetics
• Pregnancy
• Incarcerated
• History of knee replacement of affected knee
• Concern for septic joint
• Overlying cellulitis
• Hemodynamic instability
• Altered mental status or inability to consent for procedure.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pennsylvania: lead

Study Sites (4)

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

RECRUITING

Pennsylvania Hospital

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

RECRUITING

Pennsylvania Presbyterian Medical Center

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

RECRUITING

HUP Cedar

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19143, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Bupivacaine; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Standard of Care

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Anilides; Amides; Organic Chemicals; Aniline Compounds; Amines; Hormones; Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Health Services Administration; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Study Officials

• Michael M Shalaby, MD

  University of Pennsylvania

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Umar Clinical Research Coordinator, AB

CONTACT

267-624-4394; umar.aulia@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2025
• First Posted: September 8, 2025
• Study Start: August 6, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (4)