When a world-class athlete grabs his knee and grimaces on the court, it reminds us of how critical knee health is to mobility and quality of life. Elite players have entire medical teams watching every step. Most people wait until they can barely climb stairs before seeing a doctor. Catching and treating problems early helps ensure you keep moving better, longer.
How Osteoarthritis, Inflammation, and GAE Are Changing the Conversation
It’s estimated that 30 million Americans deal with knee pain from osteoarthritis. If you’re one of them, you know exactly how it takes over your life. It limits where you can go, what you can do, and forces you to give up activities that you enjoy and keep you young. Most people think knee pain starts with an injury, like a fall or twist. But osteoarthritis usually sneaks up on you. The pain builds slowly. You adjust and work around it. Before you know it, you’ve just accepted it as part of life.
When Everything Has Been Tried
I see patients every week who are exhausted and frustrated. They’ve done everything their doctors recommended. One patient who came in for treatment for chronic knee pain had tried physical therapy, multiple medications, magnesium cream, red light therapy, topical treatments, kinesiology tape, ice, heat, a TENS unit, compression sleeves, steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and an expensive knee brace that actually made it harder to move. Every single night, she ended up with her leg propped up on pillows. Nothing gave her lasting relief.
I hear stories like this all the time.
“The patients aren’t failing. The treatments are failing because they don’t address the underlying cause of the inflammation directly.“
A New, Non-Surgical Option for Knee Pain
Genicular Artery Embolization, or GAE, is a minimally invasive procedure that targets inflammation in the knee joint. The geniculate arteries are small blood vessels that feed specific areas of your knee. When those areas get inflamed, you feel pain.
During GAE, I use imaging to locate the arteries that are contributing to your inflammation. Then I deliver tiny particles called microspheres that reduce blood flow to the inflamed tissue. Less blood flow means less inflammation. Less inflammation means less pain and swelling.
The procedure takes about 90 minutes. Patients receive moderate sedation, so they’re comfortable and return home the same day.
“Clinical studies show that about 90 percent of the GAE candidate patients experience significant improvement in their knee pain after GAE. And, if needed down the road, we can successfully repeat this procedure. “
Why Screening Matters
But GAE doesn’t work for every type of knee pain. That’s why we always conduct a thorough screening and imaging of the knee first. Knee pain has many different causes. Successful treatment starts with understanding what’s actually behind your symptoms.
Who May Be a Candidate for GAE
GAE may be right for you if you have moderate to severe knee pain in one or both knees, if the pain hits you during everyday activities or when you climb stairs, if you wake up with stiff knees, if you depend on medication to get through the day, or if you want to avoid or delay knee replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis gets worse over time. Without intervention, your symptoms will likely progress. Don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable. When you get evaluated at the onset of knee pain and issues, and explore your options, you will have better treatment options. Knee pain shouldn’t define your day or limit your independence. Advances in vascular medicine have expanded what we can do for you. For many patients, addressing inflammation can be a game-changer.
Ready to Find Out If GAE Is Right for You?
Contact Medical Vein Clinic today to schedule your screening. We’ll take the time to understand your symptoms, review your imaging, and help you make an informed decision about your treatment options. Call us at 210-622-8000 or email us at info@medicalveinclinic.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Genicular Artery Embolization?
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that targets inflammation in the knee joint. The geniculate arteries are small blood vessels that feed specific areas of the knee, and when those areas become inflamed, you feel pain. During GAE, we use imaging to locate the arteries driving the inflammation and deliver tiny particles called microspheres that reduce blood flow to the inflamed tissue, which lowers pain and swelling.
How is GAE different from knee replacement surgery?
GAE is minimally invasive and treats the inflammation behind your pain, while knee replacement is major surgery that removes and replaces the joint with an artificial one. GAE uses a small catheter and microspheres rather than an incision, takes about 90 minutes, and patients go home the same day. It is a strong option if you want to avoid or delay knee replacement.
Does GAE work for both knees at the same time?
GAE can treat moderate to severe pain in one or both knees, and whether both are addressed depends on your specific case. The GAE procedure at Medical Vein Clinic is performed by a Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon, Thomas J. Gianis II, MD, RPVI. Over the years, Dr. Gianis has treated hundreds of patients with peripheral artery disease and knee pain, giving them relief from symptoms and the ability to be more active and have a greater quality of life. Dr. Gianis determines this during screening and imaging. Call 210-622-8000 to discuss whether treating both knees is right for you.
How long do GAE results last?
Clinical studies show that about 90 percent of GAE candidate patients experience significant improvement in their knee pain after the procedure. Relief develops as the inflammation settles, and the results are durable for most patients. If symptoms return down the road, the procedure can be safely repeated.
Is GAE painful?
No. Patients receive moderate sedation, so they are comfortable throughout the procedure. Because GAE uses a small catheter rather than an incision, there is no open surgery. Most patients return home the same day with little discomfort.
How soon can I return to normal activity after GAE?
GAE is an outpatient procedure, and patients go home the same day. The procedure itself takes about 90 minutes, and most people resume normal daily activities quickly afterward. Your physician will give you specific guidance based on your knees and overall health.
What if GAE does not work for me?
GAE does not work for every type of knee pain, which is why thorough screening and imaging come first to confirm you are a candidate. Because GAE is minimally invasive and does not alter the joint, you keep all your other options open, including knee replacement surgery if you need it later. If GAE helps but symptoms return over time, the procedure can also be repeated.
Does insurance cover GAE in San Antonio?
Coverage depends on your plan, and many plans cover GAE when your knee pain is documented and you meet the candidacy criteria. We verify your benefits as part of your screening so you understand your coverage before moving forward. Call 210-622-8000 or email info@medicalveinclinic.com to get started.
