Knee pain relief for osteoarthritis
Living with knee osteoarthritis can make even simple movements painful.
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) provides a proven method to alleviate discomfort without the risks or downtime associated with surgery.
Performed as an outpatient procedure, GAE targets the tiny blood vessels that drive inflammation, helping reduce pain and restore mobility, all with a quick recovery and no hospital stay.
Long-term knee osteoarthritis pain relief
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the knee joint.
It is one of the most common types of arthritis, occurring when the protective cartilage at the ends of the bones wears down over time.
Osteoarthritis of the knee can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee joint, making it difficult for patients to perform everyday activities.
Knee osteoarthritis symptoms can differ between patients, but common signs include:
- Pain that worsens with activity or after prolonged sitting
- Stiffness in the knee joint
- Knee swelling or tenderness
- Grating sensation when bending and straightening the knee
- Decreased range of motion
These symptoms may worsen over time, inhibiting mobility, causing sleep disruptions, and affecting the ability to perform daily tasks and participate in physical activities.
When traditional treatments for knee pain — over-the-counter medication, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections — fail to achieve positive results, Texas Endovascular offers a better solution.
Genicular artery embolization: Non-surgical knee pain relief
Genicular artery embolization has emerged as a groundbreaking option for knee pain relief.
GAE is an outpatient procedure that targets the genicular arteries responsible for supplying blood to the knee joint.
By selectively decreasing blood supply to these arteries, GAE can reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve the overall function of the knee.
At Texas Endovascular, a skilled interventional radiologist performs the procedure. It only requires local anesthesia to numb the injection site, and closing sutures are not necessary.
GAE involves using tiny embolic particles to decrease flow to the genicular arteries, thereby limiting blood flow and reducing pain signals.
The treatment begins by making a small incision in the skin near the knee joint. Using advanced X-ray imaging techniques, our specialist guides a catheter toward the genicular arteries. Once the catheter is properly positioned, embolic particles are injected to decrease the blood flow, resulting in the desired therapeutic effect.
GAE does not require hospitalization or extended recovery times. Patients can resume their regular routines almost immediately.
Candidates for GAE
The ideal candidate for GAE is someone who has met the following criteria:
- Experiences chronic knee pain that has not responded to conservative treatment options such as physical therapy, medication, or injections.
- Has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis that hasn't advanced to joint space narrowing
- Does not have chronic bleeding disorders
- Does not have kidney disease
- Is not a candidate for knee replacement surgery
Benefits of GAE
Along with knee pain relief, other significant benefits of GAE include the following:
- Minimally invasive: GAE involves only a small incision and does not require general anesthesia. This approach reduces the risks and complications associated with traditional open surgeries.
- Fast recovery time: Compared to traditional surgeries, GAE has a much faster recovery time. Most patients can resume their normal activities within a few days following the procedure.
- Improved function: By reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals, GAE can improve knee function and reduce the need for long-term pain medications.
- Reduced risk of complications: GAE is a non-surgical treatment that poses a lower risk of complications compared to traditional surgeries. Additionally, the embolic material used for this procedure is highly targeted, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.
- Cost-effective: GAE is a more cost-effective treatment option than other surgical approaches, such as knee replacement surgery. The procedure is highly efficient, performed in an outpatient setting, and does not require general anesthesia.
Greater Mobility and Less Pain—Without Surgery
At Texas Endovascular, genicular artery embolization offers a breakthrough way to relieve knee osteoarthritis pain and restore movement without the need for open surgery.
This minimally invasive treatment provides lasting benefits, including a short recovery time, improved joint function, and a lower risk of complications. Ready to move more freely? Find a Texas Endovascular location near you or schedule a consultation with our board-certified interventional radiologists to learn how GAE can help you get back to the activities you love.
