Knee pain due to osteoarthritis can make it difficult to enjoy an active life. In the past, many people had to treat this pain with total knee replacement surgery. But this procedure is expensive, invasive, requires a long recovery period, and doesn’t always provide the relief you need. Today, however, you can find osteoarthritis knee pain relief with non-surgical treatment for knee pain, including lifestyle changes, supplements, medications such as Ozempic or Wegovey, and genicular artery embolization (GAE). This minimally-invasive procedure effective reduces or eliminates your pain without requiring general anesthesia or overnight hospital stays. Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover the ins and outs of this alternative to knee surgery, along with other available options.
For a completely natural way to address arthritis pain, you may want to try taking a daily turmeric supplement. According to this study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, taking a daily dose of 1000mg of turmeric for 12 weeks provided participants with osteoarthritis noticeable knee pain relief. However, there was no reduction in swelling or cartilage composition. As such, this may not provide sufficient relief for many patients.
According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, taking once weekly doses of semagultide weight-loss drugs (prescribed under the brand-names of Ozempic and Wegovy) can help provide knee pain relief for those with osteoarthritis linked to obesity. As such, this drug could be a promising non-surgical treatment for pain in your knee. However, it’s efficacy was only proven for individuals who also needed to lose weight. Therefore, those whose knee pain is unrelated to obesity may choose to explore treatment options such as genicular artery embolization (GAE).
GAE is a minimally invasive knee procedure that, for many patients, offers an advantageous alternative to knee surgery. First, it’s a non-surgical procedure that carries a minimal risk for complications, making it an ideal knee pain treatment for those who prefer to avoid surgery or who aren’t able to undergo invasive procedures. Moreover, it is less expensive than surgical procedures, and typically covered by insurance. After GAE, you can expect a much faster recovery time than you’d face after a surgical procedure. Plus, by addressing one of the root causes of discomfort linked to osteoarthritis—inflammation—it can effectively reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life, especially for those experiencing knee osteoarthritis symptoms.
When you undergo Genicular Artery Embolization, we inject an embolic agent, via catheter, to reduce blood flow to the genicular arteries around your knee. Afterward, inflammation is reduced, and most patients report reduced discomfort along with improved mobility and an overall better quality of life.
Most people can resume normal activities within days of undergoing genicular artery embolization. Knee pain relief after GAE will initially start improving 4-6 weeks after the procedure, with results further improving over time. Plus, because the procedure is less invasive than surgery, post-GAE discomfort should be minimal, and most patients can manage discomfort with over-the-counter medications.
Do you need relief from the pain of osteoarthritis, but want an alternative to surgery? GAE in Texas could be the option you’ve been seeking. Simply click here click here click here to request a consultation at the Texas Knee Institute, and we’ll review your candidacy for genicular artery embolization
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