Minimally Invasive Genicular Artery Embolization for Effective Knee Pain Relief

Southwestern Interventional Radiology Institute

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What is GAE?

Genicular artery embolization is a minimally-invasive treatment for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. This innovative procedure is performed by an Interventional Radiologist in an outpatient setting. By placing a small access point in the groin or wrist, we’re able to insert a small catheter into the Genicular Artery. The catheter allows us to identify abnormal vessels that have grown that cause inflammation and pain in the knee joint. Once the vessels are identified, we inject biocompatible embolization spheres into the affected blood vessels that feed the inflammation and pain. By blocking ONLY these abnormal vessels, patients are experiencing a significant reduction in inflammation and pain and are able to resume normal daily activities.

Treatment for

Improves Pain by Eliminating the Information

Instead of using medications like Motrin and Tylenol to control the inflammation in the joint, this simple procedure eliminates the inflammation by blocking the blood flow to the lining of the knee, known as synovium, that is inflamed. Research is showing that this is an effective way to manage pain with the risk of major knee replacement surgery. In an article published in the Society of Interventional Radiology in March 2021, average pain scores decreased from eight out of ten before GAE to three out of ten within the first week.

How is GAE Performed?

GAE is performed with the need of general anesthesia and having to put the patient to in sleep. Instead, it is performed with moderate ‘twilight’ sedation as an outpatient procedure just like having a colonoscopy or breast needle biopsy type procedure. This means that the patient will go home immediately after the procedure without a long recovery from surgery. The entire procedure usually only takes one to two hours to perform and is done without making any surgical incisions. Instead, it is performed via a small IV started in the thigh. This involves inserting a small catheter (a thin hollow tube) into the artery of the patient’s upper thigh and with the use of X-ray guidance, the catheter is placed into the arteries supplying the lining of the knee. An angiogram is then performed that shows where the inflammation is happening. Tiny particles are then injected through the catheter into these small arteries thereby reducing the blood supply to the synovium (knee lining). This then reduces the inflammation associated with arthritis, which eliminates the pain.

Initial (left) and final (right) angiograms of the knee after embolization. A circular marker was placed at the site of pain. The reduced blood flow at the site of pain after embolization reduced inflammation of the knees.

Find out if you are a candidate

What to Expect After the GAE Procedure?

All patients go home the same day after a few hours in the recovery area. Pain relief usually begins to be noticed in two weeks, as the inflammation in the lining of the knee subsides and goes away thereby relieving the knee pain associated with the arthritis.

How do you know if you are a Candidate for GAE?

This is a good option for patients who have pain and have failed physical therapy and for those whose pain medications are no longer working. Treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications or knee injections usually only work for so long in controlling pain. GAE is also indicated in anyone who does not wish to undergo or is ineligible for knee replacement surgery. The following are some guidelines for those thinking of GAE
  • Age: 45-80 years
  • Moderate to severe pain
  • Osteoarthritis based on x-ray findings
  • Knee tenderness that can be localized
  • Failed conservative treatment (NSAIDs/PT/joint injection)

Benefits of GAE for Knee Pain

  1. No incisions so no chance of having a knee infection after the procedure
  2. Outpatient procedure, back home, and at work the next day
  3. Very little to no risk for anesthesia-related complications such as heart attacks and strokes during the procedure
  4. Diabetics with high A1C levels can behave the procedure done

Recovery from a GAE Procedure

Patients go home the same day as the procedure after a few hours of recovery time. You may have a small bruise with some mild tenderness in the groin where the IV is started. Taking it easy the day of the procedure is recommended, however, by the following day we recommend returning to light activity with no heavy exercise or lifting greater than 15lbs. One week after the procedure the patient may return to heavy activity and exercise. Patients usually notice a significant improvement in their pain 1-2 weeks after the procedure as the inflammation in the joint goes away.

Safety Profile

Safety is an important aspect of any medical procedure. Research studies have examined the safety profile of GAE, including the chances of complications such as bleeding, infection, or nerve damage. Overall, GAE has shown to be a safe procedure with negligible rates of complications when performed by experienced interventional physicians. The most common complication is temporary discoloration of the skin at the knee. Less than 0.05% of patients have described having developed small skin ulcers which all healed on their own within a few weeks. Less than 0.01% of patients have had damage to the bone in the knee or other serious complications requiring surgery to fix it.

Efficacy of GAE (How well does it work?)

Safety is an important aspect of any medical procedure. Research studies have examined the safety profile of GAE, including the chances of complications such as bleeding, infection, or nerve damage. Overall, GAE has shown to be a safe procedure with negligible rates of complications when performed by experienced interventional physicians. The most common complication is temporary discoloration of the skin at the knee. Less than 0.05% of patients have described having developed small skin ulcers which all healed on their own within a few weeks. Less than 0.01% of patients have had damage to the bone in the knee or other serious complications requiring surgery to fix it.

Long-term Outcomes (Does the Pain Relief Last?)

Safety is an important aspect of any medical procedure. Research studies have examined the safety profile of GAE, including the chances of complications such as bleeding, infection, or nerve damage. Overall, GAE has shown to be a safe procedure with negligible rates of complications when performed by experienced interventional physicians. The most common complication is temporary discoloration of the skin at the knee. Less than 0.05% of patients have described having developed small skin ulcers which all healed on their own within a few weeks. Less than 0.01% of patients have had damage to the bone in the knee or other serious complications requiring surgery to fix it.

Mechanisms of Action (How does it work?)

Safety is an important aspect of any medical procedure. Research studies have examined the safety profile of GAE, including the chances of complications such as bleeding, infection, or nerve damage. Overall, GAE has shown to be a safe procedure with negligible rates of complications when performed by experienced interventional physicians. The most common complication is temporary discoloration of the skin at the knee. Less than 0.05% of patients have described having developed small skin ulcers which all healed on their own within a few weeks. Less than 0.01% of patients have had damage to the bone in the knee or other serious complications requiring surgery to fix it.

Published Research Studies

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