11 Essential Questions Patients Ask Before Choosing the GAE Procedure

Choosing the right knee pain treatment involves more than just asking about genicular artery embolization cost. Patients want to know if GAE is effective, how long recovery takes, and whether it’s a better option than knee injections or surgery.

Since knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain, finding a minimally invasive procedure that offers lasting relief should be a priority. Understanding the details like who qualifies for the GAE procedure, how the procedure works, and what follow-up care looks like can make the decision easier.

This guide answers the top 11 most common questions patients ask before moving forward with GAE.

Key Takeaways:

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow to the inflamed knee tissue, providing pain relief for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis without knee replacement surgery.
A study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology reported that 47.4% of patients experienced a ≥50% reduction in osteoarthritis symptoms at 24 months post-procedure.
GAE has a low risk of complications, with mild side effects like temporary bruising or discomfort that resolve quickly.
Recovery is fast, allowing most patients to resume normal activities within a week, with follow-up visits to monitor knee function and pain relief.
GAE is a cost-effective alternative to surgery, and health insurance coverage varies, so checking with a healthcare provider is recommended.

1. What is Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)?

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that offers an alternative to knee replacement surgery for patients with osteoarthritis-related knee pain. Instead of relying on anti-inflammatory medications or knee injections, GAE works by reducing blood flow to the inflamed lining of the knee joint, helping to relieve pain.

Performed by an interventional radiologist, this procedure uses imaging to precisely block the genicular artery, which supplies blood to the inflamed tissue. Studies show that most patients experience a significant pain reduction within a week, making GAE a promising option for those with chronic osteoarthritis knee pain and other knee osteoarthritis symptoms who want to avoid surgery.

2. Is GAE a major surgery?

No, genicular artery embolization is not a major surgery. It’s a low-impact procedure performed by an interventional radiologist using imaging to guide a small catheter into the genicular arteries. Unlike total knee replacement, GAE requires only a tiny puncture, usually in the groin. This means less tissue damage, faster recovery, and significant pain reduction for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

3. What tests are needed before GAE?

Before undergoing GAE, several tests help determine if the procedure is a good fit. These tests assess knee osteoarthritis severity, blood flow, and overall knee health, ensuring that patients can safely proceed with genicular artery embolization.

Common imaging tests include:

MRI checks for knee joint inflammation, soft tissue conditions, and overall knee health.
X-ray evaluates bone structure, arthritis progression, and joint damage.
CT angiography maps blood vessels to plan for a precise genicular artery embolization procedure.
Doppler ultrasound examines blood flow and vascular health.

A consultation with an interventional radiologist is also required. This includes:

Reviewing medical history and medications.
Performing a physical exam and blood tests.
Screening for contraindications.
Assessing pain levels and prior treatments to confirm eligibility.

4. Who is a good candidate for this procedure?

Not everyone with knee pain needs GAE, but for patients with knee osteoarthritis, it can be a great option especially when other treatments stop working. Knee injections, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy can only do so much before their effects wear off.

GAE is often recommended for patients who are not ready for or unable to undergo knee replacement surgery. It helps reduce chronic osteoarthritis knee pain by limiting blood flow to inflamed areas, providing significant pain reduction without major surgery.

Ideal candidates for GAE include:

Age: 45–80 years
Moderate to severe knee pain
Confirmed osteoarthritis on X-ray
Localized knee tenderness
No relief from NSAIDs, physical therapy, or knee injections

5. How is the GAE procedure done?

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a low-impact procedure that helps reduce knee pain without the need for knee replacement surgery. Unlike traditional open surgery, GAE is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can go home the same day. It requires twilight sedation, similar to what is used for a colonoscopy.

This is a type of sedation to help patients relax and remain comfortable while staying awake. It is generally considered safer than general anesthesia for such procedures, as the patient remains conscious and their breathing and heart function are less affected.

Here’s how the genicular artery embolization procedure works:

A small IV is placed in the thigh to access the genicular artery.
Using X-ray guidance, a thin catheter is inserted into the knee joint’s blood vessels.
An angiogram maps the areas with inflammation.
Tiny particles are injected to block blood flow, reducing chronic osteoarthritis knee pain.
The procedure takes one to two hours, with most patients resuming normal activities quickly.

6. How well does GAE work? What results can I expect?

For patients with knee osteoarthritis (knee OA), the results of genicular artery embolization (GAE) are promising. Unlike knee replacement surgery, this minimally invasive procedure allows most patients to go home the same day.

Within about two weeks, many experience significant pain reduction as the inflammation in the knee joint subsides. Research shows that chronic osteoarthritis knee pain improves as blood flow to the inflamed tissue is reduced, leading to improved knee function.

A meta-analysis found that GAE has a 99.7% technical success rate, with 78% of patients reporting meaningful pain relief and 92% seeing functional improvement within a year. With high clinical success rates, GAE provides lasting relief, helping patients avoid the risks of traditional open surgery.

Find out if you are a candidate

Take Risk Assessment Now

7. What are the risks of GAE, and how common are they?

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is considered a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure for knee osteoarthritis. Most patients tolerate it well and experience significant pain reduction without major complications. Like any medical treatment, there are some potential risks, but they are uncommon.

In rare cases, mild bleeding or infection may occur at the catheter site. Some patients may have a temporary allergic reaction to the contrast dye used for imaging. There is also a small chance of blood vessel irritation or temporary nerve sensitivity, but serious issues are rare.

Vascular and interventional radiology specialists take careful steps to minimize risks, ensuring that most patients can safely undergo GAE with a faster recovery time than knee replacement surgery.

8. How does GAE compare to other treatment options?

When it comes to treating symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, there are several options to consider. Knee replacement surgery is often recommended for severe cases, but not everyone is a candidate or willing to go through an invasive procedure. This is where genicular artery embolization (GAE) is gaining attention as a alternative option.

Here’s how GAE compares to other common treatments:

Knee Replacement Surgery. Considered the gold standard for advanced knee osteoarthritis, this procedure replaces the damaged joint with an artificial implant. While effective, it requires a long recovery period and carries risks like infection and blood clots. GAE, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure with faster recovery times and fewer complications.
Knee Injections. Corticosteroid injections and hyaluronic acid shots can offer temporary pain relief, but the effects wear off over time. GAE provides longer-lasting relief by reducing blood flow to inflamed areas, addressing the root cause of knee pain rather than just masking symptoms.
Physical Therapy and Medications. Anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy can help manage knee pain, but they don’t stop the progression of knee osteoarthritis symptoms. GAE offers a more targeted approach by reducing inflammation in the knee joint, leading to significant pain reduction for many patients.

For those who want effective pain relief without major surgery, GAE is the option to consider as a strong alternative to traditional treatments.

9. How much does GAE cost, and is it covered by insurance?

The genicular artery embolization cost depends on factors like location, provider, and health insurance coverage. Compared to knee replacement surgery, GAE is often a more cost-effective option for managing symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, thus providing pain relief without the high expenses and long recovery of major surgery.

Many insurance companies, including Medicare coverage, may cover the procedure, but out-of-pocket expenses vary by plan. Checking with your billing team and healthcare provider can help determine if your insurance company covers the GAE procedure and what costs may apply.

10. What is the recovery process like? How long does it take, and are there any activity restrictions?

One of the biggest advantages of genicular artery embolization (GAE) is the quick recovery time. Since it’s a minimally invasive procedure, most patients go home the same day after a short observation period. Some may experience mild tenderness or a small bruise near the knee joint, but this usually resolves quickly.

Patients are encouraged to take it easy for the rest of the day, but light activity can resume the next day. Heavy lifting and intense exercise should be avoided for a week. By one to two weeks, many notice significant pain relief as inflammation decreases, improving knee osteoarthritis symptoms and allowing them to return to normal activities comfortably.

11. Will I need follow-up visits or imaging tests? If so, how often?

After genicular artery embolization (GAE), follow-up visits play an important role in tracking pain relief and ensuring improved knee function. These appointments help doctors assess blood flow changes, monitor healing, and detect any potential issues.

Most patients typically have a follow-up appointment within a few weeks to assess their progress. Depending on the severity of knee osteoarthritis symptoms, additional visits may be scheduled over the following months. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be utilized to evaluate the extent of pain relief. The healthcare provider will adjust the frequency of follow-up visits based on clinical outcomes and individual recovery, ensuring the best possible result.

Finding Lasting Relief for Chronic Knee Pain

Making informed decisions about knee pain treatment starts with understanding your options. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) has emerged as a minimally invasive procedure that provides significant pain reduction for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, helping many patients avoid knee replacement surgery. With a quick recovery time and a strong clinical success rate, GAE is changing how chronic osteoarthritis knee pain is managed.

If you’re looking for an alternative to surgery, the right specialist can guide you through the process. At Knee Pain 360, our network of experienced interventional radiologists are dedicated to providing effective, patient-focused care. Connect with a provider today to explore whether GAE is the right option for you.