Medical Notice: Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure performed by interventional radiologists. Like any procedure, it carries risks, and it is not appropriate for everyone with knee pain. Its availability and regulatory status vary by country; in some places it is offered mainly through clinical studies. The results described here come from one center and one year of follow-up. This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Discuss your treatment options with your physician, an orthopedic surgeon, and an interventional radiologist.
Dr. Flechenstein
Dr. med. Florian Nima Fleckenstein, MD
Board Certified Radiologist | Specialist Interventional Radiology | BIH Clinician Scientist
Deputy Head of IR Campus Mitte
Coordinator IASIOS Accreditation
Department of Radiology
Berlin Institute of Health (BIH)
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
PainRelief.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Knee osteoarthritis, the most common form of knee arthritis, is a leading cause of chronic pain and loss of mobility worldwide. Many patients reach the point where painkillers, physical therapy and joint injections no longer bring enough relief, but knee replacement surgery still feels too early or just isn’t the right path for them. For this very large group, there have been few good options so far.
Genicular artery embolization, or GAE for short, is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure designed for exactly this situation. Through a very small puncture in the groin, we guide tiny catheters to the small arteries that feed the inflamed areas of the knee and block them. Reducing this abnormal blood flow calms the inflammation that drives osteoarthritis pain.
In our study, published in the journal Radiology, 194 patients were treated and followed for a full year. The results were very encouraging. On a scale from 0 to 10, average pain fell from 7 before treatment to 3 after one year. Between 55 and 80 percent of patients reported meaningful improvements not only in pain, but also in daily activities, sports and quality of life. Side effects were mild and short-lived in about 7 percent of cases, usually just some temporary skin discoloration. No serious complications occurred.