Vascular Centers of Texas
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
- Osteoarthritis of the knee

Osteoarthritis Knee Pain

Find out if you are a candidate

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.
What to Expect After the GAE Procedure?
How do you know if you are a Candidate for 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
- More of a permanent solution for pain relief than having repeat pain injections
- Less risky than having knee replacement surgery
- No incisions so no chance of having a knee infection after the procedure
- Outpatient procedure, back home, and at work the next day
- Very little to no risk for anesthesia-related complications such as heart attacks and strokes during the procedure
- Diabetics with high A1C levels can behave the procedure done
- Covered and paid for by most insurance carriers including Medicare
- Less expensive than having surgery with potentially less out-of-pocket cost for patients
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.
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