Nonoperative treatment of recalcitrant neuritis of the infrapatellar saphenous nerve: a case series

BACKGROUND: Neuritis of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve can result from iatrogenic injury, entrapment, bursitis, or patellar dislocation. Currently, there is an unmet clinical need for treating refractory neuritis nonsurgically. CASE PRESENTATION: Three patients presented with persistent anterior knee pain caused by neuritis of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve that had got excellent but only temporary relief from steroid and local anesthetic nerve block. The neuropathic pain diagnostic Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire and painDETECT questionnaire confirmed presence of neuropathic pain. After injection with 25 mg amniotic and umbilical cord particulate, the patient’s pain decreased from 7.3 before injection to 0.3 at 6 weeks postinjection. In addition, neuropathic symptoms significantly improved at 2 weeks and were not present by 6 weeks. By 63 weeks, two of the patients reported continued complete pain relief, while one patient underwent total knee replacement due to an allergy of a previously implanted unicondylar implant. CONCLUSIONS: This case series suggests that amniotic and umbilical cord particulate may be a viable alternative to reduce pain in patients with neuropathic pain.