What is GAE?

GAE, or genicular artery embolization, is a non-surgical procedure to treat the knee pain of osteoarthritis. By choosing this minimally invasive treatment, many patients are able to delay or avoid knee replacements, making it an effective option for relieving joint pain.

The Connection Between Osteoarthritis and Knee Pain

After turning 60, about 10% of men and 13% of women develop osteoarthritis, a disease that attacks the joint linings in your knees and other parts of your body. As a result, you may experience pain, inflammation, and mobility limits.

When living with knee osteoarthritis, you may be able to manage pain using over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Some patients will have symptoms severe enough to require surgical relief. But some patients need a treatment option that falls somewhere in between these two pathways to relief. And if that sounds like what you're seeking, stick with us as we explore genicular artery embolization, beginning with an explanation of how the genicular arteries work in the body.

What are Genicular Arteries?

These arteries form a network to deliver blood to the knee joint. They can be altered by osteoarthritis. As such, when you block blood flow through the altered arteries via GAE, you can enjoy knee pain relief.

What to Expect from GAE

This is an ideal osteoarthritis treatment if you want to avoid or can't have surgery, but you can't find relief with conservative approaches. During GAE, the interventional radiologists at the Georgia Knee Institute insert a small catheter into the leg arteries supplying the knee joint. They then inject microscopic beads to the catheter, blocking blood flow to the synovium, also known as the hypervascular joint lining.)

Afterward, knee pain relief should become noticeable within four to six weeks, thanks to reduced inflammation and thickening in the synovium. Additionally, the GAE procedure may prevent the breakdown of cartilage, helping slow the progression of arthritic joint damage.

Who's a Good Candidate for Genicular Artery Embolization?

By providing prolonged joint pain relief, GAE can also help improve your mobility, while slowing the progression of arthritis and reducing inflammation. And because it is a minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure, patients enjoy shorter recovery periods without overnight hospital stays. In fact, most people can resume lightly-restricted, normal activities just one day after the procedure. As such, ideal GAE candidates are people who don't want to deal with surgery, incisions, staples, stitches or general anesthesia.

Ready to learn more about genicular artery embolization? Want to learn if you can preserve your active lifestyle despite your knee osteoarthritis? Simply request an appointment with the specialists at the Georgia Knee Institute. Together, we'll review your treatment options and find your best pathway to relief.