Articular Branches of the Femoral Nerve to the Knee

rami articulares nervi femoralis ad genu

The femoral nerve contributes articular branches to the knee joint through its muscular branches to the vasti muscles (which include fibres that reach the knee capsule) and through the saphenous nerve's infrapatellar branch. The medial, lateral, and intermediate branches of the femoral nerve all provide some sensory contribution to the anterior and anteromedial knee capsule and the anterior fat pad. These branches are targets in comprehensive genicular nerve block and ablation for knee pain.

Region: Thigh

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Genicular nerve block and radiofrequency ablation for chronic knee pain (particularly post-arthroplasty pain or arthrotic pain in non-surgical candidates) targets the superolateral, superomedial, and inferomedial genicular nerves plus the contribution from the saphenous infrapatellar branch and the recurrent fibular articular nerve. The femoral articular contributions to the anterior knee are less well-defined anatomically but contribute to the sensory input from the anterior knee capsule and fat pad that is addressed in comprehensive denervation procedures.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Femoral Articular Branches in Genicular Nerve Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation targeting the five standard genicular nerves may be supplemented by ablation of the femoral articular branches to the anterior knee capsule in patients with predominantly anterior knee pain; the additional target points are placed at the medial and lateral borders of the quadriceps tendon at the superior pole of the patella.