Inferolateral genicular nerve (ILGN)

The inferolateral genicular nerve is a peripheral sensory nerve branch that provides innervation to the knee joint. It typically arises from the common peroneal nerve (common fibular nerve) and travels across the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle to reach the lateral and inferior aspects of the knee capsule. In clinical practice, it is primarily regarded as an anatomical target for interventional pain management rather than a molecular or pharmacological target. Procedures such as genicular nerve blocks or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are frequently employed to treat chronic knee pain associated with osteoarthritis or failed total knee arthroplasty. While not a molecule or receptor, it is the focus of therapies using local anesthetics and neurolytic agents to interrupt pain signaling from the joint to the central nervous system.

Other names

Lateral inferior genicular nerveInferior lateral genicular nerve

Inhibition of sodium channels to block axonal conduction (local anesthetics); modulation of inflammatory response (corticosteroids); chemical neurolysis (phenol).