A genicular nerve block (CPT 64454) is a minimally invasive procedure for chronic knee pain, particularly from osteoarthritis or after knee replacement surgery. It involves injecting a local anesthetic near the genicular nerves – a network of sensory nerves that transmit pain signals from the knee joint to the brain.
The three primary targets are:
Superior lateral vehicular nerve (SLGN)
Superior medial vehicular nerve (SMGN)
Inferior medial vehicular nerve (IMGN)
A VI block (vastus intermedius) is a specific type of injection that can be included in a more comprehensive genicular nerve block to treat knee pain. A standard genicular nerve block target three main genicular nerves, but advanced versions may include the VI for broader pain coverage.
Disclaimer:
Chart Talk: Anesthesia Coding Conversations is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared does not constitute legal, billing, compliance, or reimbursement advice. Coding, billing, and reimbursement decisions should be based on official sources such as CPT®, ICD-10-CM, ASA guidelines, payer policies, and individual facility policies, as well as the specific documentation in the medical record. Users are encouraged to consult authoritative resources and/or their compliance department for guidance applicable to their organization.
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