Genicular Artery Embolization in New Jersey

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to treat chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis (OA). It plays an important role in knee osteoarthritis care, reducing the need for pain medications and extending the time until surgery is required.

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Who Qualifies for GAE? | How GAE Works | Benefits of GAE

Is GAE right for me?

Who Qualifies for a Knee Embolization Procedure?

Knee osteoarthritis occurs in up to 40% of people over the age of 70, though it can occur at any age.¹ Unfortunately, the condition is not curable, but various treatment options are available to reduce pain and maximize mobility. Patients may be eligible for a genicular artery embolization procedure if they:

Are over the age of 40
Have mild to severe pain from knee osteoarthritis
Have persistent pain despite conservative measures
Are not eligible for surgery
Want to delay knee replacement surgery

GAE for Knee Pain Recovery

After a GAE procedure, most patients go home on the same day. Recovery time for genicular artery embolization is fairly short, and patients may see an improvement in arthritis pain within the first week.

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How GAE Works

GAE procedures for knee OA usually take place in an outpatient setting. Before the procedure, patients receive mild sedation and local anesthesia to keep them comfortable and relaxed.

During the procedure, an interventional radiologist makes a small incision, allowing access to the body’s circulatory system. Using your blood vessels like a highway, they move the catheter along until it reaches the genicular artery – one of the main arteries in the knee.

Using the catheter, the doctor releases tiny particles into the artery to block blood flow through unhealthy pathways. By reducing blood flow to the knee, the procedure reduces inflammation and swelling to relieve joint pain.

Benefits of GAE Treatment

GAE is a highly effective treatment that relieves pain in more than 80% of patients.²
Up to 65% of patients can stop using opioids and anti-inflammatory medications after a GAE procedure.³
GAE has an excellent safety profile with few complications, most of which are mild and resolve on their own.
GAE offers an alternative to surgery for patients who can’t go under general anesthesia or want to wait to get surgery.
Studies show that genicular artery embolization can help stabilize joints to delay worsening osteoarthritis of the knee.
GAE is repeatable, meaning it can be safely performed again if symptoms return.
Most patients do not need to stop blood thinning medications before treatment.
There is no prolonged recovery time — most patients return to normal activities within a few days.

Is GAE Covered by My Insurance?

The GAE procedure is covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare. For more information on the procedure and to schedule a consultation, reach out to our NJ interventional radiology clinic today!

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Take our quiz to see if you qualify for genicular artery embolization for knee pain treatment.

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