Genicular Artery Embolization

Advanced, Minimally Invasive Relief for Knee Arthritis Pain

If knee arthritis is limiting your mobility and quality of life, and you are not ready or a candidate for knee replacement surgery, Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) may be the breakthrough, non-surgical knee pain treatment you have been looking for. This innovative, minimally invasive procedure can provide meaningful, lasting pain relief without surgery.

Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most common form of arthritis and one of the leading causes of chronic pain and disability in adults. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.

But knee arthritis is more than just “wear and tear.” Research has shown that chronic inflammation and abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularity) around the joint play a critical role in driving pain—and this is exactly what GAE targets.

How Common Is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Knee OA affects millions of Americans and its prevalence continues to grow:

• 14 million Americans have symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
• 19% of adults aged 45 and older are affected
• 6 million cases occur in individuals between ages 45 and 65 alone
• 2x prevalence has doubled since the mid-20th century

More than half of all people with symptomatic knee OA are younger than 65—meaning this is not just a condition of old age. Women are disproportionately affected after age 45.

Common Symptoms

• Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
• Morning stiffness that gradually loosens throughout the day
• Swelling and tenderness around the knee
• A grinding or crackling sensation (crepitus) during movement
• Reduced range of motion and difficulty with stairs, walking, or kneeling
• Pain that disrupts sleep

For many patients, these symptoms progressively worsen over time, leading to decreased activity, weight gain, depression, and a significant decline in quality of life.

What Is Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)?

Genicular Artery Embolization—also known as knee embolization or genicular embolization—is an innovative, image-guided endovascular procedure that addresses one of the key drivers of knee arthritis pain: the abnormal blood vessels (neovascularity) that form around an arthritic knee joint.

These tiny, abnormal vessels deliver inflammatory chemicals directly to the joint, fueling a cycle of chronic pain, swelling, and cartilage breakdown. GAE works by selectively blocking these abnormal vessels using microscopic particles delivered through a tiny catheter—reducing inflammation at its source while preserving normal blood flow to the knee.

The result: significant pain relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life—without surgery, without joint replacement, and without a lengthy recovery. For many patients, GAE serves as an effective alternative to knee replacement and a non-surgical treatment for knee arthritis pain.

Proven Results Backed by Clinical Evidence

GAE is backed by numerous multi-center clinical trials enrolling hundreds of patients, with over a decade of consistent, reproducible results:

99.7%  technical success rate across published clinical studies

72%  of initial responders maintained clinical success through 2 to 5 years of follow-up

34–39 points  average pain score improvement (VAS) sustained over 12 months

Key Clinical Findings

• Across numerous multi-center clinical trials spanning more than a decade, GAE has demonstrated significant and sustained pain reduction lasting 2 to 5 years, with patients reporting meaningful improvements in both pain scores and functional capacity.
• GAE has consistently demonstrated a high technical success rate with a strong safety profile across published studies.
• Pain scores (VAS) improved by an average of 34–39 points across all follow-up periods—a clinically meaningful reduction.
• WOMAC Total scores—the gold standard for measuring knee arthritis symptoms—improved by 28–34 points.
• GAE has been shown to be effective for patients with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, and can also provide meaningful relief for patients with severe osteoarthritis who are poor candidates for surgery.
• At two-year follow-up, only 5.2% of patients required total knee replacement—demonstrating that GAE can meaningfully delay or prevent joint replacement surgery.

Clinical research shows that GAE is most effective for patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis who have not responded to conservative treatments—offering a powerful bridge between injections and joint replacement.

GAE vs. Knee Replacement: How They Compare

GAE is not a replacement for total knee arthroplasty — it is an alternative for patients who are not ready for, or want to avoid, a major surgery:

Benefits of GAE

No Surgery, No Joint Replacement. GAE preserves your natural knee joint while targeting the inflammatory source of pain.

Outpatient Procedure. Go home the same day—typically within just a few hours.

Rapid Recovery. Resume normal daily activities within 24 hours in most cases.

Long-Lasting Relief. Many patients experience sustained pain relief for 2 to 5 years.

Delay or Avoid Knee Replacement. At two years, fewer than 6% of GAE patients required total knee replacement.

Precision, Image-Guided Treatment. Advanced imaging technology allows for highly targeted treatment of only the abnormal vessels contributing to pain.

Repeatable. Unlike joint replacement, GAE can be repeated if needed, without the complexity of revision surgery.

What to Expect

Before Your Procedure

• Comprehensive consultation to evaluate your knee pain, imaging, and treatment history
• Review of X-rays or MRI to confirm osteoarthritis severity and suitability for GAE
• Discussion of your pain management goals and expected outcomes

During the Procedure

• A tiny access point is created in the upper thigh — no knee incision
• A microcatheter is guided to the genicular arteries (knee blood supply) using real-time imaging
• Microscopic particles are delivered to block abnormal inflammatory vessels
• The procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes
• You remain comfortable under moderate sedation, administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist

After the Procedure

• You go home the same day
• Resume normal activities within 24 hours
• Pain relief typically begins within 2–4 weeks
• Continued improvement over time as inflammation subsides
• No physical therapy required (though it may complement results)

Is GAE Right for You?

GAE may be an excellent option if you:

• Have chronic knee pain from mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, or severe osteoarthritis with a high surgical risk
• Have not found adequate relief from physical therapy, medications, or injections
• Are not ready for or wish to avoid knee replacement surgery
• Want a minimally invasive, outpatient solution with rapid recovery
• Are younger and want to preserve your natural knee joint for as long as possible
• Have other health conditions that make major surgery high-risk

Why Choose Us?

Pain & Vascular Institute is at the forefront of genicular artery embolization—with expertise in clinical trials and the latest evidence-based techniques. We are committed to:

• Offering the most advanced, innovative treatments for knee arthritis pain
• Providing personalized care plans based on each patient’s unique condition and goals
• Utilizing cutting-edge imaging technology for maximum precision and safety
• Helping patients stay active and independent by preserving natural joint function