Success Rate of Genicular Artery Embolization: Inside the Numbers

Many people want to explore the success rate of genicular artery embolization, a new alternative knee replacement option. Thankfully, as the statistics come in, it's becoming clear that this minimally invasive osteoarthritis treatment works. But before we break down the numbers, let's take a closer peek inside this procedure.

Genicular artery embolization: what to expect

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an alternative to knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis sufferers. It can relieve osteoarthritis pain and delay disease progression without forcing you to replace the knee joint.

Who is a good candidate for this procedure? It's intended for patients with mild arthritis, or for seeking treatments less invasive than surgery but more aggressive than medications and/or physical therapy. How does GAE find a middle ground? In short, it works by blocking blood flow to the hypervascular joint lining (synovium).

How does blocking blood flow relieve osteoarthritis? Here's the story: your synovium is a vascular lining. As a result, if you develop osteoarthritis in your knee, that joint lining becomes thickened and inflamed, resulting in pain. So, to relieve that pain, our Texas Knee Institute's interventional radiologists insert a small catheter into one of the leg arteries. Then, using x-ray guidance to navigate the blood vessels, we can pinpoint the origins of inflammation. Next, we'll target the inflamed synovium sections by injecting particles to decrease blood flow to the knee. In turn, inflammation and pain reduces, and joint function improves.  

What's the success rate of genicular artery embolization?

As an alternative knee replacement, GAE can reduce inflammation in the joint lining, helping slow osteoarthritis progression. Afterward, you don't have to stay overnight in the hospital, or deal with extensive healing time thanks to the procedure's minimally-invasive, outpatient nature. What does that mean in practical terns? Patients can show up on the morning for the procedure and return home hours later, resuming light to normal activities the next day.

Plus, with GAE, patients avoid surgical incisions, stitches, staples and general anesthesia. All you need is mild sedation to maintain calm and comfort during the procedure, thereby reducing the risk of surgical or post-surgical complications. And, you can undergo multiple GAE procedures, spaced by at least six months, so you can delay the need to undergo knee joint replacement surgery.

Still, that information doesn't reveal the success rate of genicular artery embolization. So here's what you've been waiting for. From clinical results, we can say that most patients enjoy up to six months of osteoarthritis relief following GAE. And newer research tells us that genicular artery embolization offers a success rate of 99.7%, making it an extremely effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Sound like an option worth exploring? Click here to request an appointment!Click here to request an appointment!Click here to request an appointment!