ethanol + bupivacaine

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is a neurolytic agent used to provide long-term pain relief by inducing Wallerian degeneration of nerve fibers through protein denaturation and lipid extraction. In the clinical context of advanced knee osteoarthritis, it is administered via ultrasound-guided injection to the genicular nerves (superior lateral, superior medial, and inferior medial) to disrupt pain signaling. This specific intervention, studied by Tanta University, involves the use of ethanol in various concentrations (30%, 50%, and 70%) combined with the local anesthetic bupivacaine (0.25%) to mitigate the immediate pain associated with the neurolytic injection. The treatment is evaluated as an alternative to radiofrequency ablation for patients with chronic knee pain who are not candidates for or wish to delay total knee arthroplasty.

Other names

Alcohol 30% in 0.25% bupivacaineAlcohol 50% in 0.25% bupivacaineAlcohol 70% in 0.25% bupivacaineAlcoholic neurolysis of genicular nerveEthanol neurolysis