When your knee hurts every day, the list of possible treatments can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’ve tried physical therapy, pain meds, or injections. Maybe you’ve been told to “wait until it’s bad enough for surgery.” Genicular Artery Embolization, or GAE, is a newer option that fits between conservative care and knee replacement. If you’re comparing GAE vs. other knee pain treatments like steroid injections and PRP, the real difference comes down to what each one targets, how long it tends to last, and what kind of recovery you want.
Most knee pain from osteoarthritis has two parts. One part is structural wear in the joint. The other is chronic inflammation that keeps the knee swollen and painful. Treatments like medication and injections mostly try to calm symptoms. GAE goes after a driver of inflammation itself by reducing abnormal blood flow in tiny knee arteries. That difference shapes everything else you’ll read below.
Steroid injections are one of the most common tools for arthritis knee pain. They deliver a strong anti-inflammatory medicine directly into the joint. For many people, this quickly reduces pain and swelling. The trade-off is that relief is temporary. It often lasts weeks to a few months, then fades as inflammation returns. Steroids are also usually limited in how often they can be given because repeated use may irritate cartilage over time.
GAE works differently. Instead of adding medicine to the joint, it reduces the extra blood flow that fuels chronic inflammation in osteoarthritis. Because it targets that “inflammation supply line,” results can last longer for the right patient. Relief tends to build over a few weeks rather than feeling instant, but many patients report meaningful improvement that can extend for many months or even years.
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. It involves taking a small sample of your blood, concentrating the platelets, and injecting that into the knee. Platelets release growth factors, so the goal is to support healing and reduce pain. Some patients do well with PRP, especially with milder arthritis, but results aren’t predictable. It may take multiple sessions, and coverage varies by insurance.
GAE is a more direct anti-inflammation approach. It doesn’t rely on the body’s healing response in the same way PRP does. Instead, it shuts down the tiny abnormal vessels that keep the joint lining inflamed. For people whose pain is clearly driven by osteoarthritis inflammation and who haven’t had lasting relief from injections, GAE can be a strong next step.
Hyaluronic acid injections, sometimes called gel injections, aim to improve lubrication and cushioning inside the joint. They can reduce friction and help some people feel smoother movement. Like steroids, though, results vary. Some patients feel months of relief, others feel little change, and repeat treatments are usually needed to keep benefits going.
GAE doesn’t add lubrication. It focuses on the inflammation process outside and around the joint lining. So if your knee pain seems tied to swelling and inflammatory flares, GAE may address something gel injections don’t.
Physical therapy, strengthening, weight management, and anti-inflammatory medications are still the foundation of knee arthritis care. They improve function, protect the joint, and often reduce pain enough for daily life. The downside is that they don’t always control symptoms fully, especially once inflammation becomes persistent.
GAE is usually considered only after these options haven’t done enough. Think of it as a bridge for people who are doing the right things but still can’t walk, climb stairs, or sleep well because of pain.
Some patients also consider nerve-based treatments like genicular nerve ablation. These can reduce pain signals by targeting small nerve branches around the knee. They may work well for certain people, especially if nerve sensitivity is a major factor. GAE and nerve ablation can both be alternatives to surgery, but they target different parts of the pain pathway. A specialist can help sort out which approach fits your knee best.
Here’s a simple way to think about your decision. If you want short-term relief for a flare or a big event, injections may make sense. If you have mild arthritis and want to try a regenerative option, PRP might be worth discussing. If your pain has lasted months, conservative care hasn’t held, and inflammation seems to be the main driver, GAE could be the step that finally gives longer-lasting relief without major surgery.
The best next move is a specialist evaluation. Imaging and a full history help confirm whether your pain is inflammatory and whether your knee anatomy fits GAE.
GAE vs. other knee pain treatments isn’t a question of what’s “best” for everyone. It’s about what’s best for your knee right now. Steroids, PRP, gel injections, therapy, and medications all have a place. GAE adds a new option for patients who are stuck between temporary fixes and a surgery they’re not ready for. If you’re tired of short-lived results and want a minimally invasive treatment aimed at the source of osteoarthritis inflammation, GAE may be worth a serious look. Request an appointment today!
Yes. In fact, GAE is often considered when steroid or gel injections only give short-term relief or stop working well. A specialist will confirm your pain is mainly from osteoarthritis inflammation.
Steroid and gel injections usually last weeks to a few months. PRP can help some people for several months, but results vary. GAE is designed for longer-lasting relief, often many months and sometimes longer, depending on arthritis severity.
No. GAE doesn’t rebuild cartilage or reverse arthritis. It reduces inflammation that causes pain, which can improve comfort and function for a long time.
Some people start noticing changes within days, but most feel steady improvement over a few weeks as inflammation calms down.
People with end-stage arthritis and major joint deformity may get better results from surgery. Also, if your pain is mostly from a mechanical injury rather than inflammation, another treatment may fit better.
