New Option for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Looking for an alternative to total knee replacement? Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an interventional radiology treatment for degenerative joint disease (DJD) that offers highly effective and long-lasting relief of the pain caused by chronic joint disease.


Much of the pain experienced in knee osteoarthritis comes from abnormal blood vessels that form in the lining of the joint. GAE works by blocking these abnormal blood vessels, causing inflammation to subside.

The procedure is performed by interventional radiologists – doctors specially trained to do minimally invasive vascular procedures, such as angioplasty and embolization, to treat a variety of conditions.

During GAE, a doctor positions a catheter through a small needle puncture in the leg and into the blood vessels that supply the joint using xray guidance. Once positioned, tiny microsphere particles are slowly released to slow the blood supply to the joint. Following this procedure patients usually experience dramatic pain relief.