Knee Pain

About 25% of adults experience chronic knee pain, a problem that can be crippling without treatment. At Apex Endovascular in Fort Collins, Colorado, knowledgeable board-certified vascular specialist Shawn Ahmed, MD, PhD, treats the most common cause of chronic knee pain, osteoarthritis, using the latest interventional vascular techniques. An outpatient procedure can dramatically reduce inflammation and knee pain within a few weeks. Call the office today or click the online booking feature to make an appointment.

What causes knee pain?

Knee pain can occur because of injury and infection. But the most common cause of knee pain in adults is osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease).

It develops when the cartilage — the cushioning material in joints — and the synovium — the joint lining — release inflammatory substances into your joint. Your cartilage stiffens, loses elasticity, and is eventually destroyed.

Osteoarthritis usually happens due to wear-and-tear as you age. But post-traumatic arthritis — arthritis that develops after an injury — is a type of osteoarthritis that can develop at any age following a traumatic knee injury.

Osteoarthritis can cause significant knee pain, stiffness, and difficulty keeping up with routine activities.

How is knee pain treated?

At Apex Endovascular, Dr. Ahmed performs genicular artery embolization. This minimally invasive procedure relieves the chronic knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. The procedure reduces or blocks blood flow to the synovium, significantly reducing inflammation and knee pain.

What happens during genicular artery embolization for knee pain?

Dr. Ahmed performs genicular artery embolization after administering a local anesthetic. You’ll also receive conscious sedation to ensure your comfort during the procedure.

He uses ultrasound imaging to guide the creation of a small puncture in an ankle or upper thigh artery. This is the access site for a catheter, a thin, flexible tube that goes into the artery.

Dr. Ahmed uses X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) to guide the catheter upward to reach your knee. With the catheter in position, Dr. Ahmed injects small particles that reduce blood flow to the blood vessels around your knee joint. This, in turn, reduces inflammation and relieves your knee pain.

What can I expect after genicular artery embolization for knee pain?  

You’ll return home the same day. Dr. Ahmed provides recovery instructions for the next few days, but you can resume most activities the next morning.

Within a couple of weeks, you can expect a significant reduction in knee pain. Results last one to two years, sometimes longer.

Am I a candidate for genicular artery embolization?

You could be a candidate for genicular artery embolization if you have:

• Moderate-to-severe knee pain
• Significant knee stiffness
• Difficulty with activities like climbing stairs
• Mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis without bony deformities
• Continued pain after conservative treatments like steroid injections or physical therapy

Dr. Ahmed will evaluate your needs and recommend the right approach for your knee osteoarthritis.

Call the Apex Endovascular office today or book your knee pain appointment online.