The Predictive Value of Ultrasonographic Quadriceps Muscle Parameters for Genicular Nerve Block Outcomes in Knee Osteoarthritis

NCT07781059 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 09.2019.1051
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 41
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn whether thigh muscle structure can help predict pain relief after a genicular nerve block in people with knee osteoarthritis. A genicular nerve block is an injection used to reduce pain signals from the knee. The main questions are:

• Are muscle thickness, fiber length, and fiber angle linked to pain relief after the procedure?
• Are these muscle measurements linked to changes in physical function and quality of life? Participants are adults aged 50 to 80 with long-term pain from osteoarthritis in one knee. They are already scheduled to receive a genicular nerve block as part of their regular medical care. The study does not assign participants to receive this procedure. Before the procedure, researchers will use ultrasound to measure the vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh. Participants will also answer questions about pain, daily function, and quality of life. Researchers will repeat these assessments after 1 hour, 3 weeks, and 3 months. Pain relief will be considered successful when pain is at least half as severe as it was before the procedure.

Conditions

Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis; Chronic Knee Pain

Keywords

knee osteoartritis; genicular nerve block; quadriceps muscle architecture; ultrasound -guided; pain management; WOMAC; EQ-5D; Numeric Rating Scale

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Pain Intensity Assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

  Pain intensity will be assessed using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Changes from baseline will be evaluated following ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block. Lower scores indicate lower pain intensity.

  Baseline , 3 weeks, and 3 months

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Baseline Vastus Lateralis Muscle Thickness

  Baseline

• Baseline Vastus Lateralis Pennation Angle

  Baseline

• Baseline Vastus Lateralis Fascicle Length

  Baseline

• Change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Score

  Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months after the procedure

• Change in Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed by the EQ-5D

  Baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months after the procedure

Study Arms (1)

Patients With Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis Undergoing Ultrasound- Guided Genicular Nerve Block

Procedure: genicular nerve block

Interventions

genicular nerve block PROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block targeting the superomedial, superolateral, and inferomedial genicular nerves was performed as part of routine clinical management for chronic knee osteoarthritis.

Patients With Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis Undergoing Ultrasound- Guided Genicular Nerve Block

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults aged 50 to 80 years with unilateral chronic knee pain due to clinically and radiologically confirmed knee osteoarthritis. Participants had Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 or 4 osteoarthritis, had not responded adequately to conservative treatments, and were already scheduled to undergo genicular nerve block as part of routine clinical care.

You may qualify if:

• Age between 50 and 80 years
• Unilateral symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
• Chronic knee pain for at least 3 months
• Clinical and radiographic confirmation of knee osteoarthritis
• Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 or 4 knee osteoarthritis
• Inadequate clinical response despite analgesic therapy and physical therapy
• Clinical indication for genicular nerve block

You may not qualify if:

• History of surgery involving the knee region
• Bilateral symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
• Intra-articular knee injection within the previous 3 months
• Systemic disease that could affect study assessments
• Systemic or local infection
• Coagulation disorder
• Failure to provide written informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Pendik, 34899, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 17, 2026
• First Posted: August 24, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)