All About Genicular Artery Embolization for Knee Pain

When conservative treatments fail to address your knee pain, you might feel that knee replacement surgery is your only option. As minimally invasive treatments become more advanced, specialists are finding new ways to reduce pain and inflammation without surgical intervention. One such method is genicular artery embolization for knee pain. 

At Apex Endovascular, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Dr. Shawn Ahmed provides a range of treatments for osteoarthritis-related knee pain, including genicular artery embolization (GAE). 

Osteoarthritic knee pain

Osteoarthritis (OA) is thought to affect 27 million people in the US alone. It’s the most common form of arthritis, and a leading cause of mobility impairment and disability for adults worldwide. 

OA often affects the knees, causing pain and stiffness. If you’re struggling with knee pain and your doctors have told you the next step is a total knee replacement, it might be time to schedule a consultation to talk about a less invasive and highly successful method of reducing OA-related knee pain.

Genicular artery embolization

There are six genicular arteries that run through and wrap around the knee joint, supplying different areas with blood. Sources of pain are typically located in the synovium, where age and wear have reduced the amount of oily liquid that lubricates the knee joint.

If you’re experiencing pain in a specific part of your knee, Dr. Ahmed can identify which artery or arterial branch is the vascular supply for that area and use GAE to treat you. GAE reduces blood flow and inflammation, relieving your knee pain.

How it works

The first step in the procedure is conscious sedation, which means you receive medication that makes you relaxed and reduces your perception of pain without putting you to sleep. Dr. Ahmed identifies the correct genicular artery and branch to embolize and administers a local anesthetic so you won’t feel the small puncture for catheter access.

Typically, we go in through the ankle or the upper thigh, depending on which artery we want to access. Dr. Ahmed threads the catheter down through the artery using X-ray imaging. When he reaches the source of your knee pain, he injects small particles that reduce blood flow to the area.

GAE results

After genicular artery embolization for knee pain, you return home the same day. You can expect a significant reduction in knee pain within one to two weeks, and results can last one to two years, or even longer.

In one study of GAE patients, following them for three months after their procedure, 73% of patients were considered ‘responders’ (meaning they had significant pain reduction) and 41% became completely asymptomatic  (meaning they had no more knee pain).

If you’re struggling with knee pain and conservative avenues have failed, it’s time to look into GAE. Dr. Ahmed evaluates your needs and recommends the right approach for your knee osteoarthritis. Call Apex Endovascular at 970-508-8439 to learn more, or book a consultation online today.