A minimally invasive, outpatient treatment for chronic knee osteoarthritis pain — no physical therapy needed afterwards.
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes friction in the knee joint as the bones rub together, leading to increased blood flow to the knee due to inflammation. GAE reduces this blood flow to the inflamed lining of the knee (the synovium).
This is especially helpful for arthritis pain worsened by stairs or inclined terrain.
Not candidates for, or not ready for, knee replacement surgery.
Confirmed osteoarthritis with moderate to severe symptomatic knee pain.
Pain resistant to medicines, physiotherapy, or joint injections.
A catheter is guided through the groin to the arteries feeding the knee lining.
Tiny beads block blood flow to the areas of inflammation.
Fluoroscopic guidance keeps the procedure precise and effective.
Duration varies with the extent of the disease being treated.
GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow to the inflamed lining of the knee (the synovium), easing the pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, without surgery.
A catheter is inserted through a small puncture in the groin and guided to the small genicular arteries around the knee. Tiny particles called microspheres are injected to block blood flow to areas of inflammation, using real-time fluoroscopic imaging for precision.
No. GAE does not repair the cartilage damage that causes osteoarthritis. It relieves the pain and inflammation associated with it, which provides significant symptom relief for many patients.
No. Unlike knee replacement surgery, GAE does not require a course of physical therapy afterwards.
Around 85% of patients report significant pain relief within the first month. In about 70% of patients, that relief can last up to a year.
Most patients can resume light activities within the first week. Some knee pain in the days following the procedure is expected and gradually eases; high-impact activity should be avoided for at least two weeks.
At Neuro & Vascular, GAE is performed by Dr. Suresh Giragani, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, with over 18 years of experience in embolization procedures.
Book a consultation with Dr. Giragani, or send your scans and reports for a specialist second opinion.