Background and aims Entrapment neuropathy is a medical condition caused by direct pressure on a nerve, also known as a trapped nerve, nerve compression syndrome or compression neuropathy. One nerve of the lower limb is infrapatellar branch of saphenous nerve. Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) is a procedure in which an electrical current is produced by a radio wave is used to heat up a small area of nerve tissue.

Methods A 30 year old male patient, a hockey player by profession, presented with complaints of right knee pain in the anteromedial aspect for the last 3 years. the pain was exacerbated by movement of the knee joint, particularly when straightening the leg from bending position, standing after long sitting and particularly going upstairs. There was a hypersensitive area in the infrapatellar region and the patient was unable to wear tight cloths. Physical examination revealed tenderness on the medial aspect of the right knee that was shooting in nature.

No bony involvement/fracture was appreciated on X-ray of the knee joint. the patient was seen and managed by an orthopedic surgeon for the same complaints. He was also seen by a psychiatrist on the advice of his physician. Initially analgesics and physiotherapy was advised but the pain was not relieved. as there was specific point tenderness on examination, we considered nerve entrapment or neuroma a possibility and, therefore, decided for diagnostic trigger point injection.

Results Rapid and near-complete pain relief, with resolution of the allodynia, with sustained good pain relief at follow-up.

Conclusions Radiofrequency ablation may be the most desirable treatment for persistent pain.