If you are experiencing significant knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA), this non-surgical, outpatient center treatment may be right for you. Genicular artery embolization (GAE), or embolization of the knee, is a minimally invasive treatment alternative for patients who have not experienced relief from conservative therapy, such as anti-inflammatory medications or knee injections. GAE is also an excellent option for those who do not wish to undergo or are ineligible for knee replacement surgery.
What is osteoarthritic knee pain?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones wears down over time. Without the shock-absorbing benefits of cartilage, the bones rub against one another, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased mobility. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of disability, limiting the daily activities of 40% of all U.S. adults.
Risk factors of osteoarthritis include:
Common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include:
GAE is a highly effective, minimally invasive treatment
Much of the pain experienced in osteoarthritis comes from abnormal blood vessels that form in the joint lining. GAE works by blocking the blood vessels, causing inflammation to subside and improving function and quality of life for people with moderate to severe knee pain. While knee pain from OA is usually treated with anti-inflammatories, joint injections, and, in severe cases, knee joint replacement in an open surgical procedure, GAE can quickly improve patient pain.
How is GAE performed?
GAE is performed by interventional radiologists, doctors specially trained to do minimally invasive vascular procedures. Using X-ray guidance, the doctor positions a catheter through a small needle puncture in the leg and into the blood vessels that supply the joint. Once placed, tiny microsphere particles are slowly released to reduce the blood supply to the joint.
What are the benefits of GAE?
Average pain scores have decreased from 8 out of 10 before GAE to 3 out of 10 within the first week. Over 70% of patients have shown a greater than 50% reduction in pain scores one year following the procedure. Some patients have been able to eliminate walking aids, such as canes, while others have reported mood improvement due to living without pain.
Am I a candidate for GAE?
Patients should consider GAE if they:
Our team will determine if GAE is right for you during your consultation. If you are eligible, we will schedule your procedure and provide detailed instructions. On the day of treatment, you will receive intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours, and you will be monitored briefly before discharge. After GAE, patients can expect a gradual improvement in symptoms over the next 6-12 weeks.
Patients usually experience dramatic pain relief and fast recovery, seeing benefits in as little as three days after the procedure. Following GAE, patients can expect to go home an hour after the procedure.
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