Is knee pain from osteoarthritis keeping
you from doing the things you love?
Arthritis of the knees can make it miserable to do simple things like climbing stairs, walking, and just staying active in general. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a leading-edge, effective, and minimally invasive procedure that addresses knee pain at the source.
So, if you are finding it difficult to do things you love, your knee pain is getting in the way of your life, you might benefit from GAE. If you have been told that you need a knee replacement and you are not ready or able to have one, GAE may be a good option for you.
Why do my knees hurt so much?
The primary cause of knee pain in arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage, a protective cushion behind the knee, leading to bone-on-bone friction. Another source of pain is inflammation in the joint lining (synovial membrane) due the growth of new blood vessels in the area. So, both the arthritis itself and the overvascularization of the knee area contribute to your knee pain.
Take a quick survey about your knee pain.
How does genicular artery embolization help knee pain?
The GAE procedure addresses knee pain by simply shutting down some of the arteries that are causing inflammation. During the procedure, an interventional radiologist accesses your circulatory system through a small incision in your groin or wrist, inserting a catheter and navigating to the knee area using real-time moving X-ray. There, the radiologist deposits tiny beads that block some of the arteries. Over the next few weeks and months, the lowered blood supply results in a significant reduction in pain as the area becomes less inflamed.
The procedure requires only light sedation and some local numbing injections and takes from one to two hours. Then you will rest for a few hours at our outpatient clinic and go home the same day.
50%
or up to 75% reduction in pain within 1-3 months
70%
of patients have sustained pain relief at 1 year
<5%
complication rate, primarily bruising or mild discomfort
You may benefit from GAE if:
- You have moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.
- You have persistent knee pain despite conservative management (physical therapy, NSAIDS, injections).
- You are seeking a nonsurgical alternative to a knee replacement, or wish to delay surgery.
- You are looking for improved knee function and mobility without prolonged rehabilitation.
Are your painful knees holding you back?
You may be used to your knee pain but consider for a minute how it is affecting your daily life. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, having more comfortable knees might improve your mobility, activity level, and get you back into things you love doing.
- Do you have pain in either or both of your knees?
- Do you have swelling or redness around your knee?
- Does your knee pain worsen with movement, such as walking, climbing stairs, or squatting?
- Does knee pain wake you up at night?
- Are you avoiding doing certain activities because of knee pain?
- Have you been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee?
- Have you been told by a medical practitioner that you need a knee replacement?
- Has your health prevented you from having a knee replacement?
What are the benefits of GAE?
- Significant knee pain relief in weeks and benefits lasting months to years
- Improved function and mobility
- Done on an outpatient basis without general anesthesia
- Non-surgical/minimally invasive approach
- No extensive rehabilitation therapy
- Low complication rate
Will my insurance cover this procedure?
Generally, insurance companies, including Medicare, will cover genicular artery embolization minus any deductible owed. You may need to have tried certain medications and physical therapy. Our interventional case coordinators will help you navigate the insurance process.
Get started on the path to happier knees with a GAE consult.
You can take steps to relieve your knee pain with GAE right now by taking our symptom survey. Our ARA interventional coordinators will look at your information and talk to you about the procedure to see if it might be a good solution.
If so, we will help you make an appointment with an ARA interventional radiologist who will discuss your treatment options.
For more information, please contact interventional case coordinators at (512) 467-9729. Patients and physicians can fax materials to (512) 343-9099.
Coming in from out of town? Visit our “Traveling to Austin” page.
GAE procedure video with Dr. Corey Area
Get a better understanding of genicular artery embolization.
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