If you’re looking for treatment for knee pain without surgery, you’re not alone. Many people living with osteoarthritis want real relief—without jumping straight to joint replacement. The good news? There are proven non-surgical options that work, including a new procedure called Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE).
When it comes to treatment for knee pain without surgery, conservative care is often the first step.
Physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles
Weight management to reduce pressure on joints
Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
Assistive devices like knee braces or orthotics
These approaches can help in early stages, but they often lose effectiveness as osteoarthritis progresses.
For more on conservative osteoarthritis treatment options, visit the Arthritis Foundation.
When over-the-counter remedies aren’t enough, some patients try:
Corticosteroid injections – reduce inflammation but wear off in weeks to months
Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid) – adds lubrication but doesn’t reverse damage
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) – still being studied, varies by provider
While these may help with symptoms, their effects are temporary—and they don’t stop the underlying joint degeneration.
One of the most promising non-surgical options is Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)—a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that targets the source of inflammation in osteoarthritic knees.
During GAE, a specialist uses imaging to guide a tiny catheter into the arteries that supply blood to the inflamed joint lining. Microscopic particles are injected to block this abnormal blood flow, reducing inflammation and pain.
No hospital stay
Quick recovery (most return to light activity in a day or two)
Proven to reduce knee pain in patients with moderate osteoarthritis
Ideal for patients who aren’t ready for or want to delay joint replacement
You might be a candidate if you:
Have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis
Still experience pain despite injections or physical therapy
Want to avoid or delay knee surgery
Prefer a less invasive option with a shorter recovery
GAE is especially helpful for patients in the “gray zone”—when conservative treatment no longer works, but surgery feels too aggressive.
You don’t have to live with chronic knee pain—or rush into surgery. Thanks to advances like Genicular Artery Embolization, patients now have real, non-surgical solutions that provide relief and restore mobility.
If you’re exploring treatment for knee pain without surgery, our team at Preferred Vascular Group in Cleveland and Atlanta can help.
Schedule a consultation today to find out if GAE is right for you.
