clear lake (webster), texas

Knee pain treatment in Clear Lake, Texas

Knee osteoarthritis pain that hasn't improved with injections, medication, or physical therapy doesn't always mean knee replacement is the next step. At Texas Endovascular in Clear Lake, our board-certified interventional radiologists offer genicular artery embolization (GAE), an outpatient procedure that calms the inflammation behind arthritis pain, with no incision on the knee and no general anesthesia.

Are you a candidate for GAE?(713) 489-8506

Texas Endovascular - Clear Lake

390 E Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX 77598
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Office Hours
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

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About our clear lake clinic

Knee pain care close to home in Clear Lake

at a glance

Texas Endovascular, and its sister brand Texas Knee Institute, treats knee pain at our Clear Lake clinic, an outpatient interventional radiology clinic at 390 East Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX 77598, less than half a mile from HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake.

Dr. AJ Valenson, a double board-certified interventional radiologist who sees patients in English and Spanish, treats knee osteoarthritis pain here with genicular artery embolization (GAE), a minimally invasive option for patients who want to avoid or delay knee replacement.

Why patients choose our Clear Lake clinic for knee pain treatment

Care led by a board-certified interventional radiologist
A review of your X-rays or MRI and a clear plan before any procedure
Outpatient GAE with no incision on the knee
Insurance benefits verified and costs explained before your procedure is scheduled
Se habla español: your physician and team members speak Spanish

Board-certified interventional radiologist

Meet Dr. AJ Valenson

A Clear Lake native and double board-certified interventional radiologist, trained at Yale and Rush.

Dr. Valenson treats knee osteoarthritis pain with GAE at the Clear Lake clinic and walks you through your imaging and options in English or Spanish. Our physicians rotate between clinics, so ask when you call if you would like to see a specific doctor.

"I don't believe in telling my patients what to do, but instead I try to provide them as much information as possible for them to make the best decision that works for them. Sometimes that might mean not treating at all, in which case we will discuss alternative options."

- AJ Valenson, M.D.

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Knee pain treatment in clear lake

What is genicular artery embolization??

Knee osteoarthritis is the gradual wear of the cartilage that cushions your knee. As it progresses, the joint lining (synovium) becomes inflamed and grows abnormal blood vessels that keep the pain going.

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an outpatient, image-guided procedure that reduces blood flow to those abnormal vessels, calming the inflammation and easing pain. It doesn't cut into or replace any part of the knee, and it doesn't rebuild cartilage. Learn more about knee osteoarthritis →

ABOUT KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Knee OA symptoms

Knee arthritis usually builds slowly. Common symptoms include:

Pain that gets worse with walking, stairs, or standing
Stiffness in the morning or after sitting
Swelling around the knee
Grinding, clicking, or creaking when you bend the knee
Range of motion loss
Pain that disrupts your sleep

See all knee osteoarthritis symptoms →

Is GAE right for you?

GAE is usually considered when you have:

Knee osteoarthritis confirmed by an exam and X-ray or MRI
Moderate to severe knee pain that hasn't improved with medication, injections, or physical therapy
Mild to moderate arthritis, rather than near-total cartilage loss
A wish to avoid or delay knee replacement, or you are not a candidate for surgery

Sudden, severe knee swelling, redness, warmth, or fever, or being unable to put weight on your leg, can signal an infection or injury rather than arthritis and needs prompt medical care.

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gae treatment

GAE treatment in Clear Lake, Texas

Map the knee arteries. Contrast dye and live X-ray imaging show the small arteries feeding the inflamed knee lining.
Enter through a pinhole. After local numbing, a thin catheter is placed in an artery in the groin or ankle and guided to the knee.
Reduce abnormal blood flow. Microscopic particles are released into the abnormal vessels, while healthy circulation to the knee is preserved.
Walk out the same day. The procedure usually takes one to two hours. Most patients walk within a few hours, go home the same day, and return to typical activities the next day.

Pain relief typically begins within four to six weeks and keeps improving over several months. Learn more about GAE →

group photo of providers at the Clear Lake office

Benefits of GAE

Outpatient, home the same day

No incision on the knee and no general anesthesia

Typical activities the next day, with no physical therapy required

Can be repeated if pain returns

How GAE compares with other treatments

Physical therapy and medication: often tried first, and helpful for managing symptoms.
Steroid injections: quick, but relief usually lasts weeks to months.
Knee replacement: a long-term option for advanced arthritis, but it is major surgery with general anesthesia and weeks to months of recovery.
Genicular artery embolization (GAE): outpatient, with local numbing and typical activities the next day. Best suited to mild to moderate arthritis.

In a 2024 study presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, patients' pain scores improved by 71% and quality-of-life scores by 87% one year after GAE.

Are you a candidate for GAE?

Real patient stories

What patients say about Texas Endovascular

Rated 5 stars by hundreds of Clear Lake patients

Staff and Dr were friendly and quick toward treatment. Thank you.

Alex S.

10/31/2026

Excellent and professional. This staff is very excellent and knowledgeable they put you at ease and listen to you put you in a very relaxed mood

donald d.

10/21/2026

This place is unbelievable. The people that work there are so friendly and informative that it is unreal. If you leave with a question on your mind,it is your fault.

Toney V.

10/15/2026

Had a good consultation with the doctor. He was very understanding and helpful explaining my situation.

david k.

10/15/2026
My appointment was very fast and everyone was really friendly and Informative.

ruby c.

10/02/2026

Always a good visit to get Dr. Valenson's advice and help.

Barbara L.

9/26/2026

The staff and medical professionals were all stellar! All information was provided in clear language and with compassion. In a word, “Superb”.

James C.

9/25/2026

I had a checkup and legs were doing good.
Everyone is always informative and very nice.
Great place to attend.

Jackie A.

9/19/2026
Dr. Valenson and his team were incredibly knowledgeable. They listened, assessed, and gave me plenty of time to ask questions and gain understanding. I immediately called my daughter after my appointment and shared my experience and recommended them!

Amy S.

9/17/2026

Love how the nurse explained everything to me! Staff is friendly and full of knowledge!

Cristal S.

9/16/2026

Dr. Valenson and his staff are very efficient, respectful and professional in their care and in the procedures performed. Their information and explanations given are thorough and easy to understand.

Barbara C.

9/13/2026

Great Experience. The nurse explained in detail the whole procedure and outcome. Very polite. Dr. Valenson was very professional and very helpful.

Najeeba F.

9/12/2026

Come see us

Visiting our Clear Lake clinic

Our Clear Lake clinic is at 390 East Medical Center Blvd in Webster, about a mile east of I-45 and close to HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake. It serves League City, Friendswood, Seabrook, Pasadena, and the rest of the Bay Area.

Visits are available in English or Spanish. GAE is also offered at our Houston clinic in Bellaire.

Texas Endovascular - Clear lake FAQs

Common questions about GAE in Clear Lake

Medically reviewed by AJ Valenson, M.D. · Updated October 2026

Who performs GAE at the Clear Lake clinic?

Dr. AJ Valenson, a double board-certified interventional radiologist and the clinic's lead provider, treats knee pain patients in Clear Lake. He is fluent in English and Spanish. Our physicians rotate between clinics, so ask when you call if you would like to see a specific doctor.

Is GAE available at the Clear Lake clinic?

Yes. The Clear Lake clinic evaluates knee osteoarthritis pain and offers GAE. Your physician reviews your X-rays or MRI and the treatments you've already tried before recommending it.

What is genicular artery embolization (GAE)?

GAE is an outpatient, image-guided procedure for knee osteoarthritis pain. A thin catheter is used to place microscopic particles in the small arteries feeding the inflamed knee lining, which reduces abnormal blood flow and calms the inflammation behind the pain. It does not cut into the knee or rebuild cartilage.

Who is a good candidate for GAE?

Good candidates have knee osteoarthritis confirmed by exam and X-ray or MRI, moderate to severe pain that hasn't improved with medication, injections, or physical therapy, and mild to moderate arthritis rather than near-total cartilage loss. Many want to avoid or delay knee replacement, or are not surgical candidates. Not sure if you're a candidate? Take our short quiz to find out.

How is GAE different from a knee replacement?

Knee replacement is surgery that removes and replaces damaged parts of the joint, with general anesthesia and weeks to months of recovery. GAE is done through a small puncture with local numbing, with no incision on the knee, and most patients go home the same day. GAE treats pain from inflammation; it does not repair the joint itself.

What happens during GAE?

You stay awake with local numbing. Through a small puncture in the groin or ankle, your physician guides a thin catheter to the arteries around the knee using live X-ray imaging, then releases microscopic particles to reduce blood flow to the inflamed lining. The procedure usually takes one to two hours.

What is recovery like after GAE?

Most patients walk within a few hours, go home the same day, and return to typical activities the next day. Physical therapy is not required. Mild bruising or soreness near the puncture site or knee usually fades within a few weeks.

When will I feel results, and how long do they last?

Pain relief typically begins within four to six weeks and keeps improving over several months. In published studies, many patients report relief lasting two years or longer, and GAE can be repeated if pain returns.

Does insurance cover GAE?

Medicare and most major insurance plans cover GAE when it is medically necessary. Our team verifies your benefits, handles prior authorization, and explains what you can expect to pay before your procedure is scheduled.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can schedule a consultation at our Clear Lake clinic without a physician referral. Call (281) 690-5082 or request an appointment online, and our team will verify your insurance benefits before your visit.

Where is the Clear Lake clinic?

We are at 390 East Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX 77598, about a mile east of I-45 and close to HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake. Call (281) 690-5082 for directions.

Additional CONDITIONS WE TREAT

Conditions we treat at our Clear Lake clinic

Every condition below is treated the same way, with a catheter guided through a pinhole in the wrist or groin. Not a different specialist for each one.
One specialty, no large incisions, no hospital stay, and most patients return to normal activity within days.

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