What's the Genicular Artery Embolization Recovery Time?

In the Georgia Knee Institute we relieve osteoarthritis-related knee pain with genicular artery embolization, or GAE. This minimally invasive procedure reduces your pain and improves mobility by cutting off blood flow to the lining of your knee, getting rid of inflammation there. Now, many patients come in to this office, seeking relief without invasive surgery. But, before scheduling their procedure, they do have one key question: what's the genicular artery embolization recovery time? Here's what you need to know.

Genicular Artery Embolization: Recovery Time After Your Procedure

The length of your GAE procedure will be around 1-2 hours. (Explore the ins and outs of this procedure here.) Immediately after your procedure, you will spend a few hours in the recovery room under observation. Most of our patients will be able to walk within two to three hours of the procedure's completion and should be able to go home on the same day.

The day after GAE, you'll be able to resume light activities, and within two or three days, you'll be ready to get back to your normal routine. (You should still avoid heavy activity for about two weeks while you recover from GAE.) At that point, the results of your procedure, including arthritis pain relief, should be noticeable.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Genicular Artery Embolization?

Any side effects associated with GAE are minor, including mild bruising or slight changes to the appearance of your skin. These effects should be resolved, and you should be able to resume all activities, within two weeks of GAE. After that, your genicular artery embolization recovery should be complete, and you will start to appreciate the benefits of your procedure.

These include,

• Reduced swelling and pain in your knee
• Less stiffness
• Functional improvements in mobility and joint movement

In conclusion, after your genicular artery embolization recovery, you'll experience osteoarthritis knee pain relief for up to a full year. As such, it's an ideal treatment for patients with moderate to severe arthritis pain who wish to delay or avoid full knee replacement surgery. Ready to see if this treatment will work for you? Click here to request an appointment with our knee specialists in Georgia!