Relief from osteoarthritic knee pain
Geniculate artery embolization is an interventional radiology procedure used to treat knee pain due to osteoarthritis by reducing blood flow to the lining of the knee, known as the synovium. In osteoarthritis patients, pain is often caused by an increased blood flow to the knee related to inflammation. GAE is a highly effective procedure for people:
Generally, an MRI of the knee with contrast is recommended to see if GAE is the right procedure for you.
GAE is an outpatient procedure that uses moderate sedation. During the procedure, a small catheter is inserted into the femoral artery in the groin and guided using moving X-ray imaging to the arteries carrying blood to the lining of the knee. Tiny beads are injected through the catheter into these arteries, blocking them and reducing blood supply to the area of inflammation. During the procedure, images of the patient’s leg can be viewed in real time, making the procedure precise and effective. After the procedure, patients will experience temporarily increased knee pain, but over the course of several weeks there will be a reduction or elimination of pain.
Patients who have chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis that has not responded enough to conventional therapies may benefit from GAE. Most patients will have been through such therapies as anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, muscular strengthening, and knee injections. Other indications may include:
The following conditions may disqualify a patient as a candidate for GAE:
Benefits
Risks
To schedule a consult for geniculate artery embolization (GAE), please speak with your health care provider and call our interventional team at (512) 467-9729.
Video
Transcript Anchor: Welcome back to We Are Austin. Thanks for being with us...