Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is ideal for patients who are either not ready for knee replacement surgery or are considered high-risk for surgical procedures due to other health conditions.

Typical candidates include:

• Adults aged 40 to 80
• Those with moderate to severe knee pain
• Patients showing signs of osteoarthritis on X-ray, without major bone deformities
• Individuals with localized knee tenderness
• People who have not responded well to non-surgical treatments

GAE may not be suitable for individuals with advanced joint damage, active infections, a history of heavy smoking, or those who are strong candidates for knee replacement surgery.

For many, GAE can also serve as a temporary bridge to surgery, delaying the need for joint replacement while effectively managing pain.

GAE is a minimally invasive procedure done under twilight sedation. This means the patient is relaxed and comfortable but not fully unconscious. It’s performed in a specialized imaging suite, and they can go home the same day.

• A small puncture is made in the groin or upper thigh, where a thin, flexible catheter (tube) is gently inserted into an artery. There are no large incisions or stitches involved.
• Using live X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy), the interventional radiologist carefully navigates the catheter through the blood vessels to reach the genicular arteries—the small vessels that supply blood to the inflamed knee joint lining.
• Once the target vessels are reached, microspheres (tiny medical-grade particles) are released through the catheter. These particles block abnormal blood flow to areas of inflammation in the synovium (the tissue lining the knee joint).
• Reducing excess blood flow helps to calm inflammation, which in turn relieves pain, reduces swelling and can restore knee function, without removing tissue or replacing the joint.
• The entire procedure usually takes about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the patient’s blood vessels.
• After a short observation period, they’ll be discharged the same day, typically within a few hours of completion.

After the Procedure:

• Same-Day Discharge: Patients go home a few hours after the procedure.
• Recovery Time: Most people return to normal activities in 1–2 days.
• Pain Relief: Improvements typically begin within two weeks as inflammation subsides.
• No Scars or Incisions: Just a small puncture site—no surgical cuts or stitches.