Preparing for GAE: Here’s What to Know
If you have decided to undergo genicular artery embolization (GAE) to alleviate osteoarthritis knee pain, you may have questions.
Below, we share concise, easy-to-follow information about what will happen at your appointments before treatment and what you need to do on the day of your GAE procedure.
We want you to feel as comfortable, safe, and confident about your medical decisions as possible. Continue reading to review our important guidelines and anticipated treatment process.
Guidelines for Patients to Prepare for the GAE Procedure
On the days and weeks leading up to your GAE procedure, your interventional radiologist physician will request the following appointments, information, tests, and labs
- Initial consultation
- Medical history assessment
- Physical exam
- Symptom assessment
- Pain assessment (WOMAC score)
- MRI scan, CT scan, or other imaging studies
- Bloodwork (to check for blood clotting factors and general health)
- Allergy testing (if needed for contrast dye)
- Medication review and adjustments (if required)
- Discussion of procedure benefits and risks
- Informed consent documentation
- Confirm insurance coverage and financial arrangements
- Schedule the procedure date and time
- Preoperative assessment (to identify pre-existing co-morbidities that may increase your risk of complications)
- Arrange transportation for the day of your procedure
These may vary depending on your unique medical situation.
Following all healthcare guidance when preparing for a GAE procedure is essential.
What to Expect During Your GAE Procedure
The day before your GAE procedure, your IR physician may request certain dietary and medication restrictions to ensure your experience is as safe and comfortable as possible.
On the day of your GAE procedure, your physician will ask you to arrive at the medical facility approximately one hour before your scheduled appointment to allow enough time to prepare for the osteoarthritis knee treatment.
After you check-in at Georgia Knee Institute, your medical team will
- Ask you to remove all clothing articles from the waist down and put on a hospital gown
- Lead you to an exam room, make sure you are comfortable, and ask if you have any questions or concerns before they begin
- Administer sedation to help reduce any pain or discomfort associated with the procedure (this procedure does NOT require general anesthesia, meaning you will be awake during the entire procedure)
- Set up image-guidance X-ray technologies to assist throughout the procedure
- Begin the procedure by inserting a catheter into the main (genicular) artery in the upper thigh
- Slowly and gently move the catheter through the vein and into the knee joint
- Identify smaller, pain-causing blood vessels and maneuver the catheter into them
- Administer microspheres (tiny particles to help reduce blood flow to this blood vessel)
- Slowly and carefully remove the catheter once all pain-causing blood vessels have been identified and treated
- Apply a bandage at the catheter site
- Allow you time to relax and recover
We hope this information provides valuable insights to help you prepare for your genicular artery embolization procedure.
Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities, and our board-certified interventional radiologist physicians are dedicated to ensuring a safe and effective experience for you.
If you have any additional questions or concerns or if are ready to schedule your GAE procedure, please contact us at 678-915-2000.
We are ready to support your journey to osteoarthritis knee pain relief.
