Geniculate Artery Embolization

Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) is an in-office knee pain treatment Palmdale doctors offer that can reduce knee inflammation—without using injections or invasive surgery. This innovative procedure is used to treat symptoms of osteoarthritis or hemarthrosis of the knee, both of which are conditions that can cause chronic pain and inflammation.

 

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee is extremely common—in fact nearly 40 of all people in the U.S. over 60 experience chronic pain caused by this condition. The knee is a very hard-working joint and when it is affected by osteoarthritis, the cartilage which acts as a natural cushion between joints may be worn away, causing the joints to rub against each other.

 

Osteoarthritis can have a number of causes and risk factors:

• Older age
• Excess weight
• Genetic disposition or mutations
• Repeated stress or activity
• Chronic illness
• Sex (women are more likely than men to develop it)

 

Symptoms of osteoarthritis can include:

 

• Pain, especially with activity
• Swelling
• Warmth around the joint
• Stiffness, particularly in the morning
• Limitations in movement or mobility
• Cracking sounds in the joint

Knee Pain Diagnosis

The first step to an accurate diagnosis is a visit with your doctor. Your doctor will usually review your personal and family medical histories, talk about your symptoms and conduct a thorough physical exam.

Imaging tests, like X-rays or MRIs may be used to help with the diagnosis. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also order blood tests to rule out any other medical conditions.

Treatment options for knee pain and inflammation

When your knee has inflammation, you may experience stiffness, swelling, difficulty moving, weakness, and pain. If you’re suffering from chronic knee pain and inflammation you may be looking into treatment options.

 

At-home conservative measures

Oftentimes, you may start with home remedies to try to manage pain, including resting the knee joint, using ice or heat, or taking over-the-counter medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, or acetaminophen. However, if you only find temporary relief or the pain and inflammation in your knee keep coming back, it’s time to see a doctor.

 

Physical therapy and joint injectibles

A physician might prescribe physical therapy and prescription medications to help combat inflammation. Some people may try joint injections, also called viscosupplementation. These injectables use hyaluronic acid, which is a natural compound found inside the joint synovial fluid. This substance is like a gel that helps lubricate joints, reduce inflammation and promote the healthy growth of bone and cartilage.

 

Partial and total joint replacement

People who have advanced osteoarthritis or those who have chronic knee pain and inflammation without success in conservative treatments are often recommended to have partial or total joint replacement surgery. While many people who have knee replacement surgery enjoy a reduction in pain and an increase in mobility, surgery carries some serious risks including infection, blood clots, poor anesthesia reactions, problems with the implant, neurovascular trauma, and continued pain after surgery.

 

Genicular artery embolization: An innovative solution

One of the main causes of pain in people who have osteoarthritis of the knee is the abnormal formation of blood vessels that breach into the avascular cartilage of the joint.

Genicular artery embolization is a solution that addresses the problems in the blood vessels surrounding the joint in order to relieve pain. The procedure works by blocking abnormal blood vessels and, in doing so, reducing inflammation and pain. It’s an exciting option for people who haven’t had success with conservative treatments and for whom invasive surgery may not be the most ideal option. Using imaging guidance, an interventional radiologist blocks capillaries around the knee joint, reducing blood flow and leading to immediate and long-term pain relief.

Who is a candidate for geniculate artery embolization?

People who have tried conservative treatments without long-term success and who aren’t opting for invasive surgery may find that geniculate artery embolization is a good option. Some common criteria for people who choose this procedure include:

 

• Moderate to severe chronic knee pain, tenderness, swelling, or stiffness
• Between 40 and 80 years of age
• Confirmed osteoarthritis diagnosis
• No bone deformities
• Lack of success with conservative treatments

 

People who have very advanced osteoarthritis, an infection or malignancy, and people who smoke may not be good candidates for geniculate artery embolization.

How is geniculate artery embolization performed?

Geniculate artery embolization is an outpatient procedure, which means it can be performed right in the doctor’s office, without requiring observation or recovery in a hospital or surgical center. It’s performed by a trained interventional radiologist, like Dr. Jilbert Eradat, a board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist who specializes in minimally invasive treatment options.

 

For the procedure, a small puncture is made near the groin with a very fine needle. A hollow tube, called a catheter, is inserted through the needle. Using advanced imaging guidance, the catheter is placed in the arteries by the affected knee.

The interventional radiologist then injects tiny particles that block the capillaries around the lining of the knee joint. This is called “embolization”. The result is a reduction in blood flow to the knee joint, which can reduce inflammation and pain from hemarthrosis or osteoarthritis.

Advantages of geniculate artery embolization

The risks from geniculate artery embolization are very minor because there are no large incisions, no implants, and no general anesthesia used in the procedure. The procedure itself only takes between 45 minutes to two hours and you are able to go home the same day. Unlike joint replacement, recovery time is very fast and doesn’t require rehabilitation after the procedure.

Because it is minimally invasive and highly effective, geniculate artery embolization is the ideal procedure for people who aren’t a good candidate for surgery but who need options to manage chronic joint pain and inflammation.  Contact Alliance Vascular today!