Genicular Artery Embolization

Knee Pain Treatment with Genicular Artery Embolization

Chronic knee pain can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of daily life–from walking and climbing stairs to simply getting up from a chair. Persistent pain can limit mobility, reduce physical activity, and lead to a decline in overall quality of life. Over time, untreated knee pain can contribute to muscle weakness, joint instability, and an increased risk for further injuries.

Seeking treatment for chronic knee pain is essential not only for immediate pain relief but also for preventing long-term complications. By addressing the underlying causes of knee pain, individuals can regain their independence, improve their functionality, and return to the activities they enjoy.

Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears away over time. This can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joint.

Imagine your knee joint as a hinge. The cartilage acts like a cushion between the bones, allowing them to move smoothly. When osteoarthritis occurs, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones to rub against each other. This friction can lead to pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion.

Osteoarthritis is most common in the knees, hips, and hands. It is often associated with aging, as the cartilage in our joints naturally deteriorates over time. However, other factors, such as obesity, injuries, and genetics, can also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Genicular Artery Embolization

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a revolutionary, minimally invasive procedure designed to alleviate chronic knee pain, particularly that associated with osteoarthritis. This innovative technique offers a promising alternative to traditional surgical interventions, providing relief for patients who have exhausted other treatment options.

This procedure is performed by an Interventional Radiologists (IR), a physician that specializes in minimally invasive treatments that use imaging techniques such as X-rays and ultrasounds to diagnose and address diseases.

How Does GAE Work?

GAE is performed in an outpatient office with mild sedation and local anesthesia so patients can return home the same day. During the procedure, your doctor will insert a catheter and guide it to the genicular arteries with X-ray guidance.

Once the affected arteries are found, tiny particles are injected to reduce blood flow to the knee’s lining which reduces inflammation and pain. These particles are made such that they will not migrate to other places within the body or cause allergic reactions.

This procedure temporarily blocks the blood flow to reduce inflammation and pain in the knee. Many patients experience relief from knee pain and osteoarthritis symptoms for six months to two years.

GAE can be performed multiple times without risk of increasing complications. GAE helps slow the progression of osteoarthritis and provides an alternative to knee replacement.

Why Blocking Blood Vessels Helps with Knee Pain

Osteoarthritis pain is driven by inflammation, swelling, and abnormal nerve activity. GAE helps by interrupting that process:

1. Inflammation and Synovitis – The synovial lining of the knee can become thick and inflamed, fed by excessive blood flow.

2. New Blood Vessel Growth (Angiogenesis) – Chronic inflammation causes new, abnormal blood vessels to form, which keep feeding the inflamed tissue.

3. Nerve Sensitization – These new vessels often come with nerve fibers that amplify pain signals.

4. Breaking the Pain Cycle – By selectively blocking these abnormal vessels, GAE helps reduce inflammation, nerve irritation, and pain sensitivity.

While it doesn’t rebuild cartilage, it targets one of the key sources of osteoarthritis pain—chronic inflammation.

Who Might Be a Candidate?

GAE isn’t for everyone. The best candidates typically include:

• People with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis who have not found relief from medications, injections, or physical therapy.

• Patients who are not ready for or not eligible for knee replacement surgery.

• Those experiencing persistent knee pain that affects quality of life despite conservative care.

• Individuals whose imaging shows increased vascularity (extra blood flow) in painful areas of the knee.

GAE may not be suitable for people with end-stage arthritis, severe joint deformity, or major vascular disease.

What Happens During the Procedure?

1. Preparation – The care team reviews your knee imaging to identify areas of inflammation. You’ll receive a local anesthetic and light sedation.

2. Catheter Insertion – A small catheter is inserted through an artery in the groin or wrist.

3. Guided Navigation – Using X-ray imaging, the doctor carefully guides the catheter to the arteries feeding the painful areas of the knee.

4. Embolization – Tiny beads are injected to block those vessels. This stops excess blood flow to the inflamed tissue while keeping healthy vessels intact.

5. Recovery – The catheter is removed, and the entry site is bandaged. Most patients go home the same day and can walk shortly afterward.

The entire process usually takes about one to two hours.

Recovery and Expected Results

• Pain Relief Timeline: Many patients begin noticing improvement within days or weeks after the procedure.

• Longevity of Results: Pain relief can last from six months to two years or longer, depending on disease severity and lifestyle.

• Return to Activities: Most people resume light activity within 24 hours and regular routines soon after.

• Repeat Treatments: Some patients may require a repeat GAE if symptoms return later.

Risks and Possible Side Effects

GAE is considered safe, but as with any procedure, there are potential risks:

• Mild bruising or soreness at the catheter site

• Temporary skin discoloration or tingling around the knee

• Non-target embolization (unintended vessel blockage, though rare)

• Temporary increase in knee discomfort as inflammation resolves

• Allergic reaction to contrast dye (uncommon)

Serious complications are very rare when the procedure is performed by an experienced interventional radiologist.

Clinical Results and Research

Studies show that most patients experience meaningful pain reduction and improved function following GAE. Many report sustained relief lasting a year or more. Research continues to explore long-term outcomes, optimal patient selection, and comparison with other knee pain treatments. Early evidence strongly supports GAE as an effective, low-risk, minimally invasive option for managing chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Why Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment?

Osteoarthritis in the knee can cause a range of symptoms, all of which can progress to a point that interrupts daily life and activities. Diagnosing and treating this disease early is important to slow the progression of symptoms. We want you to know there is an effective non-invasive treatment that can help you get back to your life full of activity and motion.