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 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.