GENICULATE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION (GAE)

What is GAE?

Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) is a novel therapy to treat patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) by reducing synovial arterial hypervascularity. The goal is to reduce pain symptoms from moderate or severe knee Osteoarthritis that is refractory to other conservative therapy. Clinical studies have shown this approach is effective and durable with an acceptable safety profile.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

  • Pain. Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.

  • Stiffness. Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.

  • Tenderness. Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.

  • Loss of flexibility. You might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.

  • Grating sensation. You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling.

  • Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.

  • Swelling. This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.

Treatment

Geniculate Artery Embolization - What is advantageous about this procedure over similar methods of treatment?

This treatment offers:

  • A reduction of pain by greater than 50% at 3 years

  • Minimally invasive, non-surgical approach

  • Takes less than an hour to complete

  • Very low risk of complications (near zero outcome)

  • Does not prohibit additional treatments in the future

  • Significantly extends time until a knee replacement is required

How is the procedure performed?

A small catheter is inserted and tiny particles are injected that block the capillaries around the lining of the knee; this reduces the inflammation and in turn reduces or eliminates the associated knee pain entirely.

This treatment is a replacement for:

  • Steroid injections, which offer only short-term pain relief

  • Pain medications and opiods, which are proven to be addictive and overprescribed

  • Surgery, as full knee replacement is the only option for surgical treatments

WOMAC Assessment

The WOMAC Assessment is a score-based form that will evaluate candidacy for the GAE procedure. Click the button below to complete your assessment today.