Investigation of the existence of and a block technique for the inferior lateral genicular nerve: cadaveric study

Among the four genicular nerves innervating the anterior aspect of the knee, the inferior lateral genicular nerve has been omitted as a target of blocking. Some authors have suggested that the inferior lateral genicular nerve of the knee might pass beneath the lateral collateral ligament of knee. The authors aimed to study the location of the inferior lateral genicular nerve and the spread of injectate during the inferior lateral genicular nerve block. In 10 knees from fresh frozen cadavers, the authors performed on each an ultrasound-guided block of the inferior lateral genicular nerve of the knee just below the lateral collateral ligament. The needle was inserted below the lateral collateral ligament, and 2 mL of blue dye was injected. A week later, the cadavers were dissected, and the existence of the inferior lateral genicular nerve and the spread of dye around it was investigated.