Minimally Invasive Genicular Artery Embolization for Effective Knee Pain Relief

Find the Best Knee Pain Specialists in Texas

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Looking for a nonsurgical way to manage chronic knee pain? Our Texas-based interventional radiology specialists offer genicular artery embolization (GAE)—a minimally invasive procedure that targets the root cause of osteoarthritis-related knee pain.

GAE is an outpatient option with shorter recovery times and fewer complications than traditional surgery. If you’ve been searching for genicular artery embolization near me, we’re here to help you take the next step with expert care close to home.

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EMIS HEALTH Center

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Southwestern Interventional Radiology Institute

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Vascular Centers of Texas

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Ally Vascular and Pain Centers

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UT Health Houston

Specialized Care for Knee Pain in Texas

Our partner clinics across Texas provide targeted care for a wide range of knee conditions. Whether your symptoms are new or have been affecting you for years, you’ll find support for:

  • Osteoarthritis of the knee: A common cause of joint stiffness and discomfort
  • Chronic knee pain: Ongoing pain that limits movement and worsens over time
  • Sports-related injuries: From ligament strains to cartilage damage
  • Post-traumatic knee pain: Lingering symptoms after a fall, twist, or impact
  • Bursitis: Inflammation around the knee joint causing swelling and tenderness
  • Tendonitis: Overuse-related irritation of the tendons around the knee
  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Pain around or behind the kneecap, often from misalignment
  • Meniscus tears: Damage to the cartilage that cushions your knee
  • Runner’s knee: A catch-all term for pain caused by repetitive stress or overuse

Each clinic uses advanced diagnostic tools and proven, minimally invasive approaches to help you feel and move better—without surgery.

Benefits of genicular artery embolization for knee pain in Texas

If you’re living with chronic or severe knee pain secondary to osteoarthritis, genicular artery embolization offers a nonsurgical path to long-term relief. This outpatient procedure targets the arteries fueling inflammation in the knee—helping reduce pain, improve mobility, and delay or avoid surgery. No incisions, no general anesthesia, and very little downtime.

Targeted relief

Using advanced imaging, doctors identify the specific genicular arteries supplying blood to inflamed parts of the knee. This allows for precise treatment focused only on the problem areas, helping preserve healthy tissue and joint function.

Faster recovery

GAE is performed through a small puncture in the wrist or groin, which means no stitches, no hospital stay, and less disruption to your routine. Most patients resume light activities within a few days.

Precision treatment

Real-time imaging and careful vascular mapping ensure that only the hypervascular and engorged arteries are treated. This approach minimizes the risk of complications and helps deliver consistent, lasting relief.

Personalized care

Every case of knee osteoarthritis is different. Our GAE specialists in Texas consider your unique symptoms, medical history, and imaging results to guide treatment—making genicular artery embolization a practical option for those who aren’t candidates for, or aren’t ready to undergo, knee replacement surgery.

What to expect when you begin GAE treatment in Texas

At Knee Pain 360, your care starts with a full evaluation and a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms, goals, and overall health. We work with doctors across Texas who specialize in minimally invasive knee pain solutions like GAE.

Here’s how the process works:

Step 1: Assessment

See if you’re a candidate for genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis by scheduling a consultation or taking a free online assessment.

Step 2: Consultation

A knee pain specialist will review your medical history and imaging results, answer your questions, and walk you through your treatment options.

Step 3: Procedure day

The GAE procedure is performed on an outpatient basis using image-guided techniques. Most patients return home the same day with minimal discomfort.

Genicular artery embolization FAQs

What is genicular artery embolization (GAE)?

Genicular artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, especially in patients who want to avoid or delay surgery. Using a small catheter, an interventional radiologist blocks specific arteries (genicular arteries) that supply blood to inflamed areas of the knee joint.

By reducing blood flow to these regions, GAE helps decrease inflammation and pain over time—without the need for surgery.

The procedure targets the genicular arteries, which are responsible for supplying blood to the knee. When the joint is inflamed due to osteoarthritis, these arteries become engorged.

By carefully blocking them, GAE reduces excess blood flow and pressure, helping ease pain and improve mobility. It’s a precise, image-guided approach designed for long-term relief.

You may be a good candidate for GAE if you:

  • Have chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis
  • Have not responded well to physical therapy, medications, or knee injections
  • Want to avoid or delay knee replacement surgery
  • Are looking for a less invasive treatment option with faster recovery

Your Texas care team will review your symptoms, medical history, and imaging results to determine if GAE is right for you.

GAE is considered safe, but as with any medical procedure, there are some risks. Possible side effects include:

  • Mild pain or bruising at the catheter site
  • Temporary fatigue
  • Low-grade fever or knee discomfort in the days following the procedure
  • Rarely, non-target embolization or infection

Most side effects are short-lived and manageable. Your doctor will review all risks with you before the procedure.

Most patients report minimal discomfort during and after the procedure. Local anesthesia is used at the insertion site, and mild sedation helps you stay relaxed. You’ll remain awake but comfortable throughout the process.

Recovery is typically quick. Most patients return to light activity within a few days and resume normal routines within a week. Because GAE doesn’t involve cutting into the joint or removing tissue, it offers a much faster and less painful recovery than surgical alternatives.

Insurance coverage can vary based on your provider and plan. Some insurance companies may cover GAE when it is medically necessary and other treatments have not worked. Our team will work with you to verify your benefits and walk you through the required documentation.

The cost of GAE in Texas depends on your provider, insurance coverage, and whether the procedure is performed in an outpatient or hospital setting. Out-of-pocket expenses can range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars. We recommend scheduling a consultation for a personalized cost estimate and to explore insurance and payment options.

In most cases, yes—GAE is an eligible expense under many Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), but it’s best to check with your benefits administrator.

Got additional questions? Email us at info@kneepain360.com—we’re here to help you find a solution that works for you.

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