Genicular Nerve Ablation in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Who It Helps, Results and Cost
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala, MBBS, DA, DNB (Anaesthesiology), FIPM, Consultant Pain Physician, Clinicapain, Banjara Hills.
TL;DR Quick answer
Genicular nerve ablation uses controlled radiofrequency heat to calm the small sensory nerves around an arthritic knee. It suits long-standing knee pain, mostly from osteoarthritis, that has not settled with exercise, physiotherapy, medicines or injections. Relief usually builds over a few weeks and, when it works, often lasts several months. It reduces pain but does not cure arthritis or repair the joint. At Clinicapain in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala performs it as a day-care, image-guided procedure after assessing whether it suits your knee.
What is genicular nerve ablation?
Long-term knee pain affects how you walk, climb stairs, sleep and work. When the joint is worn, the nerves around it can keep sending pain signals even though the damage itself cannot easily be reversed. At Clinicapain in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala uses genicular nerve ablation, also called genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA), to target those nerves rather than the joint.
What are genicular nerves?
They are small sensory nerves that surround the knee joint. Their job is to carry sensation, including pain, from the knee to the brain. They are not the nerves that control your leg muscles, so the procedure is designed to reduce pain without affecting your ability to move the knee.
What is ablation?
Ablation means using a small amount of controlled energy to interrupt a nerve's pain signals. In radiofrequency ablation, a radiofrequency current warms the tip of a thin needle placed next to the nerve for a short time. The nerve then carries fewer pain signals for a period. The joint, cartilage and bone are not repaired or replaced.
Possible benefits
Benefits vary from person to person. Patients who respond well may notice:
· Less knee pain during walking, stairs and daily activities
· Better sleep because of less night pain
· A reduced need for pain tablets, which can mean fewer side effects
· Easier participation in physiotherapy and exercise
· A non-surgical option with no cut and, in most cases, no hospital stay
- Targets the small sensory nerves around the knee, not the joint itself
- Uses a thin needle and controlled radiofrequency heat
- Does not affect the nerves that move your leg muscles
- Does not repair cartilage or reverse arthritis
Common symptoms
Genicular nerve ablation is considered for knee pain that has become long-standing. If several of the symptoms below sound familiar and have lasted for months, a specialist assessment can help you understand your options.
- Knee pain that has lasted more than three months
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
- Difficulty with stairs, walking or getting up from a chair
- Pain on bending the knee or squatting
- Night pain that disturbs sleep
What causes this knee pain?
The cause of your pain decides whether ablation is a sensible option, which is why a proper assessment with Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala at Clinicapain, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, comes first.
Osteoarthritis
The most common reason. Wear of the joint cartilage causes pain, stiffness and difficulty walking. See our knee pain page for more.
Pain after knee replacement
Some people continue to have pain after surgery even when the implant is well placed. Other causes, such as infection or loosening, are checked for first.
Rheumatoid arthritis and gout
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis are first managed with the right medical treatment. Acute gout attacks are treated with medicines. Ablation is only discussed for long-standing pain that continues after the joint has been damaged and other causes have been addressed.
Other causes
Pain coming mainly from the hip, back, a torn ligament or a meniscus injury is usually managed differently, and the doctor will tell you if ablation is unlikely to help.
- Osteoarthritis is the most common cause
- Pain can continue after knee replacement
- Rheumatoid arthritis and gout are treated with medicines first
| Cause | Usual approach |
|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis | Most common reason; ablation considered if other treatment has not helped enough |
| Pain after knee replacement | Other causes checked first; ablation may then be discussed |
| Rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis | Medical treatment first; ablation only if pain continues |
| Gout-related joint damage | Medicines first; ablation only for long-standing pain |
| Hip, back, ligament or meniscus problems | Usually managed differently |
When should you see a pain specialist?
Consider a consultation with Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala at Clinicapain, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, if any of the points below apply to you.
- Knee pain has lasted longer than three months
- Tablets and physiotherapy are no longer enough
- You have been advised knee replacement and want to know your other options
- Pain continues after a knee replacement
How it is assessed
Before any procedure, Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala first needs to be confident that the genicular nerves are a main source of your pain. At Clinicapain, this is done in steps:
1. Consultation and examination. The doctor listens to your history, checks your knee movement, walking and tender areas, and asks how pain affects your sleep and daily activities.
2. Scan review. Your X-ray or MRI is reviewed. Ultrasound may be used to look at the knee and surrounding tissues.
3. Trial genicular nerve block. A small injection of local anaesthetic is placed near the same nerves. If your knee pain improves clearly for a few hours or days, it suggests these nerves are playing a major part, and ablation may be worth considering. If there is little change, the doctor will talk to you about other options. You can read more on our genicular nerve block page.
This step helps avoid a longer-lasting procedure for someone who is unlikely to benefit.
- History and knee examination
- X-ray or MRI review, with ultrasound if needed
- Trial nerve block to check the pain source
Treatment options compared
There is more than one way to treat long-standing knee pain, and these options are not always either-or. Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala can help you choose a sensible order based on your scans, symptoms and goals.
You can read more about hyaluronic acid knee injection and PRP injection.
Not sure which option suits your knee?Book a consultation or call +91 79810 83531 to meet Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala at Clinicapain, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
- Medicines and physiotherapy are usually the first step
- Injections act inside the joint; ablation acts on the nerves
- Knee replacement is for advanced joint damage
| Treatment | What it does | When it is usually considered |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines and physiotherapy | Reduce pain and strengthen the knee | First step for most knee pain |
| Steroid, hyaluronic acid or PRP injections | Act inside the knee joint | Pain continues despite basic care |
| Genicular nerve block | Short-term relief; also a trial for ablation | To check whether the genicular nerves are a main source of pain |
| Genicular nerve ablation | Reduces pain signals for months | Arthritis pain not controlled by other measures, or surgery is not suitable or not wanted yet |
| Knee replacement surgery | Replaces the damaged joint | Advanced joint damage with major loss of function |
What to expect during the procedure
For your visit to Clinicapain in Banjara Hills, please bring your previous X-rays, MRI reports, a list of your current medicines and any questions. No referral is needed. Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala will tell you about any medicines, such as blood thinners, that need to be adjusted before the day.
The procedure is done with X-ray or ultrasound guidance (see our image-guided injections page). You may feel pressure or a brief sensation during testing. It usually takes under an hour, though the timing depends on your knee and the number of nerves treated. You should arrange for someone to accompany you home.
- Done with local anaesthetic, sometimes with light sedation
- Usually takes under an hour
- Most patients go home the same day
- Bring scans, reports and your medicine list
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | You lie comfortably and the skin around the knee is cleaned |
| 2. Numbing | Local anaesthetic numbs the skin and deeper tissues; some patients also receive light sedation |
| 3. Image guidance | Using X-ray or ultrasound, thin needles are placed next to the genicular nerves |
| 4. Testing | A small electrical test checks the needle position and confirms it is safe to go ahead |
| 5. Ablation | Radiofrequency energy is applied for a short time at each site |
| 6. Rest and discharge | After a short period of observation, most patients go home the same day |
Recovery, risks and self-care
How long does relief last?
The nerves can slowly recover over time, so the effect is not permanent. Many patients report relief lasting several months, and some longer. If pain returns, Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala may discuss repeating the procedure. Results are different for every patient.
Possible risks and side effects
When done by a trained pain specialist with image guidance, as at Clinicapain in Hyderabad, genicular nerve ablation is generally considered a low-risk procedure. As with any procedure, there are possible risks:
· Temporary soreness, bruising or swelling at the needle sites
· Temporary numbness or tingling around the knee
· A short-lived increase in pain before improvement
· Infection or bleeding (uncommon)
· Skin burn or irritation (rare)
· Little or no relief in some patients
Contact Clinicapain promptly if you develop fever, increasing redness, swelling or discharge at the needle sites, or worsening pain after the procedure.
Exercise and self-care
Pain relief gives you a chance to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Guided exercise from a physiotherapist helps you get the most out of the procedure, and you can read more on our physiotherapy-led rehabilitation page. Keeping a healthy weight, staying active within comfort and getting good sleep also help. A follow-up visit at Clinicapain is planned to check how your knee is responding
- Most people return to light activity within a day or two
- Mild soreness is common and usually temporary
- Relief often lasts several months, and the procedure can sometimes be repeated
- Exercise and physiotherapy help you get the most from the pain relief
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First day | Rest. Soreness, mild swelling or warmth at the needle sites is common |
| First few days to two weeks | Some discomfort, or a temporary increase in pain, while the nerves settle |
| Two to six weeks | Many patients begin to notice improvement |
| Daily activities | Light activity within a day or two; follow the doctor's advice on walking, driving and exercise |
pain specialist in Hyderabad
Ablation works best when the right patient is chosen, the assessment is thorough and the procedure is done with image guidance. When choosing a doctor, it helps to look for:
· Specialist training in pain management
· A proper examination and scan review before any procedure
· Image-guided technique, with X-ray or ultrasound
· A clear explanation of risks, limits and alternatives, including when surgery is the better choice
· A plan that includes follow-up and rehabilitation
At Clinicapain, Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala, Consultant Pain Physician, trained in anaesthesiology (DA, DNB) and completed a Fellowship in Pain Management (FIPM). Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala will examine you, review your scans and explain whether genicular nerve ablation, other injections, physiotherapy or a surgical opinion makes the most sense for you. Procedures are image-guided, and no referral is needed.
- Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala, Consultant Pain Physician, Clinicapain
- MBBS, DA, DNB (Anaesthesiology), FIPM
- Image-guided procedures
- No referral needed; located in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
References and further reading
1) NHS. Osteoarthritis.
2) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226).
Downloads
Frequently asked questions
Is genicular nerve ablation painful?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, and some patients also receive light sedation. You may feel pressure or a brief sensation during testing. Some soreness afterwards is common
Is it done under general anaesthesia?
Most pain procedures like this are done under local anaesthetic, sometimes with light sedation. Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala will explain what applies to you
Do I need to stay in the hospital?
Usually not. It is generally a day-care procedure, and most patients go home the same day
Will it cure my arthritis?
It does not repair cartilage or reverse arthritis. It aims to reduce pain so you can function better
Is it major surgery, and will it replace knee replacement?
It is a minimally invasive procedure with no large cut. It may help some people delay surgery, but it does not replace surgery when the joint is badly damaged
How long will the relief last, and can it be repeated?
Relief often lasts for several months and sometimes longer, but it varies. If the pain returns after a good period of relief, Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala may discuss repeating the procedure
Will I still need physiotherapy?
In most cases, yes. Strengthening and movement help you get the most from the pain relief
What does it cost in Hyderabad?
The cost depends on factors such as the number of nerves treated, the type of image guidance and the facility. A fixed estimate can only be given after assessment, so please contact Clinicapain in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, for details
Where can I get genicular nerve ablation in Hyderabad?
: At Clinicapain, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, with Dr. Nikhilesh Samudrala, Consultant Pain Physician. No referral is needed, and you can book by calling or messaging on WhatsApp at +91 79810 83531.
Consultant Pain Physician
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