Living with chronic knee pain can shrink your world. You start planning your day around stairs, long walks, or even how long you’ll have to stand. If you’ve already tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections and you’re still hurting, it’s normal to feel stuck. Genicular Artery Embolization, or GAE, is a newer minimally invasive option that may help certain people with knee osteoarthritis find real relief without major surgery.
Genicular Artery Embolization is an outpatient procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Instead of cutting into the knee joint, the doctor uses imaging guidance and a tiny catheter to treat inflammation from the inside. Most patients go home the same day, and the procedure typically does not require general anesthesia.
With knee osteoarthritis, inflammation builds in the lining of the knee joint. Your body responds by sending extra blood flow through small vessels called genicular arteries. That extra flow can keep inflammation going, which keeps pain going too. GAE works by gently blocking a few of these overactive tiny vessels. Less blood flow to the inflamed lining usually means less inflammation and, for many people, less pain.
It starts with a consultation. The interventional radiologist reviews your medical history, checks your knee, and looks at imaging such as an MRI or X-ray to confirm that osteoarthritis inflammation is the main driver of your symptoms. This step matters because GAE is designed for arthritis-related pain, not every knee problem.
On procedure day, you’re awake but comfortable. After numbing a small area near the wrist or groin, the doctor threads a very thin catheter through an artery toward the knee using live imaging. When the target genicular arteries are identified, microscopic particles are released to block the abnormal vessels feeding the inflamed tissue. The catheter is removed, a small bandage is placed, and you’re monitored briefly before heading home. Most sessions take around one to two hours.
GAE is mainly used for people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis who still have daily pain even after conservative treatments. If you’ve tried therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, or gel injections and still can’t do what you want, GAE may be worth discussing. It’s also an option for people who want to delay knee replacement or aren’t ready for surgery right now.
You may not be a fit if your pain comes mostly from a recent injury, severe joint instability, active infection, or another diagnosis that isn’t driven by joint inflammation. Your radiologist will help sort this out during screening.
Studies so far show that many patients experience meaningful improvements in pain and function after GAE. For some, relief lasts a year or longer. It is still a developing area of care, so results can vary, and researchers are continuing to refine who benefits most and how long effects tend to last.
It’s also important to be realistic. GAE does not rebuild cartilage or cure arthritis. Think of it as a way to calm the inflammation that makes arthritis hurt. Many people get the best results when they pair GAE with strength work, healthy weight support if needed, and low-impact movement.
GAE is minimally invasive, so serious complications are uncommon, especially when performed by experienced specialists. The most common issues are temporary soreness or bruising where the catheter was placed and short-term knee discomfort as inflammation settles. Less common risks include minor skin irritation or discoloration if particles reach very small nearby vessels. Your care team will explain your personal risk profile before treatment.
Most people rest the day of the procedure and resume light activity within a day or two. Heavy lifting and intense exercise are usually paused for about a week. Pain relief can start within days and often builds over several weeks as the knee calms down.
For many patients, the big win is simple: walking farther, handling stairs better, and getting back to daily life without that constant ache in the background.
If osteoarthritis knee pain is still limiting your life and you’re not finding enough relief from standard treatments, Genicular Artery Embolization is a conversation worth having. A qualified interventional radiologist can tell you if your pain pattern and imaging make you a good candidate, and what kind of improvement you can reasonably expect. Request an appointment today!
Some people notice changes within days, but most improvement builds over a few weeks as inflammation slows down. Your exact timeline depends on arthritis severity and overall knee health.
Current evidence suggests GAE is generally safe with mostly mild, temporary side effects when done by trained interventional radiologists. Serious complications are uncommon.
It can delay surgery for some people by reducing pain and improving function, but it does not reverse arthritis. Some patients still choose a replacement later.
It’s most often used for mild to moderate osteoarthritis knee pain that hasn’t improved enough with therapy, medications, or injections. Imaging helps confirm you’re a fit.
Recovery is usually quick. Most patients go home the same day, return to normal routines in a day or two, and avoid heavy exertion for about a week.
