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Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)

Osteoarthritis is a condition people develop as they get older. When this condition develops in the knees, it can become very painful and limit a person’s mobility. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks or “embolizes” abnormal blood vessels feeding the synovium–the lining of the knee. This effectively reduces pain and inflammation.

GAE is meant to “fill the gap” between medication/injections and total knee replacement surgery. If you have osteoarthritis in one or both knees, having the GAE procedure may reduce or eliminate the need to have knee replacement surgery in the future.

genicular artery embolization
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During the GAE procedure, a specially trained doctor known as an interventional radiologist places a tiny catheter into an artery in the leg. Using imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the genicular arteries that carry blood to the synovium. Once in place, tiny particles are injected which reduces the flow of blood to normal levels, in turn decreasing the inflammatory mediators secreted by the synovium and resulting in significant pain relief. In a clinical study, GAE patients experienced a reduction in pain scores from 8 out of 10 to 3 out of 10 within the first week of the procedure.1

Genicular artery embolization is recommended for patients who:

  • Are between 40 and 80 years of age
  • Have moderate to severe knee pain
  • Are diagnosed with osteoarthritis based on X-ray or other imaging, but without bony deformity/sclerosis
  • Experience local knee tenderness
  • Have resistant or failed conservative treatment (medication, physical therapy, joint injections)

Take our quiz to see if you qualify for GAE »

The GAE Procedure

  1. After numbing the skin, the interventional radiologist inserts a tiny catheter through the skin in the wrist or thigh.
  2. Using imaging to guide the procedure, the doctor advances the catheter to the genicular arteries within the knee lining
  3. Tiny microparticles are injected into these arteries, reducing the flow of blood to the knee to normal levels. This reduces pain and inflammation.

For more information, or to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, please call 205-905-8411.

Take our quiz to see if you qualify for GAE »

  1. https://www.sirweb.org/media-and-pubs/media/news-release-archive/sir-2021-knee-pain-031621/

For more information about genicular artery embolization offered by the physicians of VISA, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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