Knee Arthritis
Genicular Artery Embolization
Osteoarthritis is a condition that is caused by repetitive wear and tear of the joint. Damage To the cartilage results in persistent inflammation that causes tiny new blood vessels and nerves to grow within the knee joint. Genicular Artery Embolization is a procedure that injects microscopic beads into the areas with abnormal blood vessels, so they are reduced, drastically minimizing the pain associated with abnormal vessels.
Procedural Details
The interventional Radiologist makes a small needle puncture into a blood vessel at the top of the leg and guides a microcatheter into the blood vessels that supply the inflamed part of the knee. The procedure is performed under a ‘twilight sleep’ and is relatively painless.
Microscopic beads are injected into the areas with abnormal vessels and hypervascularity, reducing the excessive flow causing the pain and swelling. Normal blood flow to the knee and its surrounding tissues remains intact after the procedure.
Advantages of GAE
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No surgical incision or injection into the knee joint
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Painless procedure lasting about one hour
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Typically return to work within a day or two without the need for a lengthy recovery
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Very low complication rate without any effect on future knee replacement
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Symptom improvement usually within 1-3 weeks
Why GAE?
GAE is useful to relieve knee pain from OA instead of taking frequent medication or getting injections into the knee. It can also be beneficial in those who are not ready to have a knee replacement surgery. Published clinical studies by our team have demonstrated that GAE can provide pain relief without the risks associated with chronic medication or having to get repeat injections.
GAE, However, is not necessarily a substitute for total knee replacement and has not been shown to negatively impact future knee replacement surgery when performed with our technique.
Publications
Multicenter Randomized Sham Controlled Study of Genicular Artery Embolization for Knee Pain Secondary to Osteoarthritis
Sandeep Bagla, MD, Rachel Piechowiak, DO, Abin Sajan, MD, Julie Orlando, BHS,
Terry Hartman, MPH, MS, CCRC, and Ari Isaacson, MD
