Worldwide, almost 23% of people over 40 have knee arthritis. If you live with this condition, you already know how much it can affect your day. Simple things like walking the dog, climbing stairs, shopping, or getting out of a chair can start to feel like major challenges.
At Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, we know that the best treatment for knee arthritis depends on your pain level, mobility, health history, and objectives. Some people do well with conservative care, while others need a more advanced option like genicular artery embolization (GAE) to get meaningful relief.
We’ve prepared this guide to help you understand how GAE compares with other treatments for knee arthritis and what each involves.
Osteoarthritis is the most common kind of knee arthritis. It happens when the cartilage in your joint wears down over time. Cartilage helps your knee move smoothly, so if it deteriorates, the bones and tissues in your joint can become irritated and inflamed. That inflammation often leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced movement.
Osteoarthritis tends to develop with age, but it can also follow old injuries. Excess body weight and joint stress from certain activities or jobs can increase your risk.
Knee arthritis treatment typically starts with conservative care, which may include:
Some patients benefit from corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections into the joint.
These treatments are especially helpful in the earlier stages of arthritis. Physical therapy strengthens muscles around your knee and improves joint support. Weight loss alleviates pressure on the joint. Steroids reduce inflammation, while hyaluronic acid increases joint lubrication.
However, these options don’t work equally well for everyone, or they may become less effective over time. If knee arthritis becomes severe and other treatments no longer provide enough relief, knee replacement surgery may be an option.
Knee replacement can be highly effective for many patients, but it involves a major operation, significant recovery time and rehabilitation, and the risks that come with surgery.
Many people want to explore less invasive options before considering surgery; studies show that 67% of patients with severe knee arthritis are reluctant to consider total joint replacement. In addition, some may have health issues that make them poor candidates for surgery, which is where GAE comes in.
GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the abnormal blood vessels linked to inflammation in the arthritic knee. By reducing blood flow in a controlled way, we can often reduce inflammation and help ease pain.
Unlike knee replacement, GAE doesn’t remove or replace the joint. It also doesn’t require large incisions. We perform it through a tiny access point, using imaging guidance to reach the small arteries around the knee.
For the right patient, GAE can mean less disruption, less recovery time, and pain relief without major surgery.
Good candidates for GAE include people who:
We evaluate each patient carefully because GAE isn’t right for everyone. The severity of your arthritis, circulation, imaging results, and overall health all matter.
We usually perform GAE as an outpatient procedure, so you can typically go home the same day. We guide a small catheter (flexible tube) into the blood vessels near your knee, then introduce tiny particles to reduce blood flow to the inflamed areas.
Most patients tolerate GAE well. You may have some soreness afterward, but recovery is much easier and faster than knee surgery, and many people quickly return to light activities.
Pain relief doesn’t always happen overnight. Some patients notice improvement within days, while others see gradual changes over several weeks as inflammation settles down.
GAE sits in the middle ground between conservative care and major surgery. It’s more advanced than physical therapy or injections, but it’s much less invasive than knee replacement.
That makes it appealing for patients who still want meaningful relief but aren’t ready for surgery. It won’t rebuild cartilage or cure arthritis, but it may reduce pain enough to improve movement, comfort, and quality of life.
If you’re looking for a less invasive way to address knee arthritis pain, we’re here to help you take the next step. Call Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC for more information on GAE or arrange an evaluation by completing the online form.
