New Study on the Lasting Effects of Genicular Artery Embolization

Many people wonder, ‘How long does genicular artery embolization last?’ Well now, a study on the effects of genicular artery embolization can help answer that question. And the results look promising for those who wish to delay or avoid total knee replacement surgery. Here’s what you need to know.

Effects of Genicular Artery Embolization

Here at the Texas Knee Institute, our interventional radiologists perform genicular artery embolization (GAE), a minimally invasive procedure designed to provide knee pain relief while avoiding invasive surgery. As a relatively new option for treating knee osteoarthritis, there is relatively little data available on how long the effects of genicular artery embolization will last. And that’s why we were excited to see a new study in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology discussing the lasting effects of GAE for pain relief.

For the study, researchers spent two years following 40 patients with moderate to severe knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. None of the patients were candidates for knee replacement surgery, so they all underwent GAE. Over the course of the study, candidates measured their pain scores. And, throughout the entire course of the study, the post-GAE patients experienced ongoing relief from osteoarthritis knee pain.

As a result, the study authors concluded, "Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of adult disability and, until now, most minimally invasive treatment options have been proven to provide only short-term relief, measured in weeks or months. For patients who are not candidates for knee replacement surgery, our study shows that GAE provides durable benefit to many patients, measurable for up to 2 years, a great leap forward in offering this cohort lasting relief."

Exploring GAE in Houston and Dallas

As we learn more about how and why osteoarthritis causes knee pain, it’s become clear that new, abnormal synovial blood vessels grow with this condition, causing painful inflammation and worsening other arthritis symptoms. By blocking blood flow to these vessels, GAE can reduce pain and inflammation, simultaneously improving quality of life for knee pain sufferers.

Ready to see if you could benefit from the effects of genicular artery embolization? Request a consultation Request a consultation Request a consultation with our interventional radiologists. Together, we can explore your candidacy for GAE and get you on the optimal pathway to lasting knee pain relief.