Osteoarthritis of the knee

Many people experience knee pain as they age. This is usually caused by a condition called osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that occurs when cartilage within the knee joint wears down. This can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, and it may lead to decreased mobility.

It is now known that osteoarthritis is either caused or accelerated by new, poorly formed blood vessels within the knee joint (angiogenesis). These blood vessels contribute to pain and inflammation because they bring inflammatory cells to the knee.

Doctors now know that pain and inflammation can be reduced, and the erosion of knee cartilage can be slowed, by restoring normal blood flow to the knee. A minimally invasive procedure called genicular artery embolization (GAE) embolizes or partially blocks the flow of blood through the abnormal blood vessels that have formed in the knee from osteoarthritis. This has been clinically proven to reduce pain and inflammation and can even help you avoid knee replacement surgery in the future.

A specially trained doctor—known as an interventional radiologist—uses imaging to guide the placement of a catheter through the skin and into the genicular artery that supplies blood to the knee joint. Once there, the doctor locates the abnormal arteries and injects microparticles into them to block the excessive amount of blood flow. Normal blood flow is restored to the joint, and the symptoms of osteoarthritis are significantly reduced.

Most patients will experience pain relief shortly after the procedure, and pain will continue to reduce over the next two weeks. Many patients also find that they can reduce or eliminate their intake of pain medication.

GAE has been clinically shown to reduce pain and inflammation for two years or longer. The procedure may be repeated in the future if symptoms return.

In most cases, the procedure is covered by private insurance and Medicare. We are happy to assist you if you have insurance questions or would like to know if your specific insurance covers the procedure.

GAE is a very safe procedure, and complications are rare. You may experience a temporary discoloration of the skin or bleeding in the area where the catheter is placed within the body. Other side effects are extremely rare and can be treated if they occur.

If you are between 40 and 80 years of age, have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and conservative treatment (such as medication or physical therapy) hasn’t worked for you, you may be a candidate for GAE.

If you have advanced arthritis, infection, cancer, or have smoked, you may not be able to have a GAE procedure.