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 with non-surgical treatment for knee pain, including lifestyle changes, 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.
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 knee pain. However, it’s efficacy was only proven for individuals who also needed to lose weight. Therefore, those whose knee pain in unrelated to obesity may choose to explore treatment options such as GAE.
GAE is a minimally invasive knee procedure that offers an advantageous alternative to knee surgery for many patients. 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 deal with following a surgical procedure. Plus, by addressing one of the root causes of knee pain due to osteoarthritis—inflammation—it is still able to effectively reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life.
When you undergo Genicular Artery Embolization, we inject an embolic agent into a catheter that’s directed to reduce blood flow to the genicular arteries around your knee. Afterward, inflammation is reduced, and most patients report knee pain relief 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 knee pain of osteoarthritis, but you 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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