Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026): Vol. 32 - No. 1

This prospective study explores whether anterior medial knee pain in grade II–III osteoarthritis may include a neuropathic component. Using high-resolution ultrasound, the authors assessed protrusion of the superficial femoral ligament and narrowing of the interfascial space around the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve. Among 82 patients, pronounced structural changes were strongly associated with higher pain scores and neuropathic pain features. A protrusion of ≥10 mm was linked to persistent clinical symptoms in most affected patients. Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation produced substantial pain relief in a selected subgroup. The findings suggest that ultrasound may help identify morphological signs of possible nerve compression and support more targeted treatment decisions. However, the proposed thresholds remain preliminary and require validation with independent neurological reference standards.