Meet Rebecca
For years, I lived with constant knee pain. I had meniscus tears in both knees and, as I got older, osteoarthritis began to take its toll. In the last five years, especially, the pain became impossible to ignore. Most days, I lived at a 7–8 pain level, and the spikes to a 9–10 were what finally pushed me to look for an answer.
Before finding GAE, I tried everything: physical therapy, Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, magnesium cream, red-light therapy, Vicks VapoRub, kinesiology tape, ice, heat, a TENS unit, compression, steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and even an expensive knee brace that ended up limiting my mobility. I elevated my legs every night. Nothing brought lasting relief.
Then I learned about GAE, and Medical Vein Clinic in San Antonio popped up in my online research. I’m big on reviews, and theirs were excellent, so I called. They saw me the very next day.
Walking toward the building, I saw the sign that said, “Love Your Legs Again,” and it felt like a sign, I was in the right place. Inside, everything just clicked. The clinic was beautiful: white walls, blue artwork, purple flowers, black seating, and stunning light fixtures. Everyone I encountered was warm, upbeat, and genuinely fun. Dr. Hogg came in with so much energy and kindness. He even squatted down next to me, showed me his own knees, and shared that he’d been through knee replacement himself. In that moment, I knew I could trust him.
Now I’m about a month out on my right knee and three weeks out on my left. I occasionally feel a “funny little tingle in my legs,” which I chalk up to healing, but the difference is incredible. My daily pain went from a constant 7–8 down to almost nothing: zero in my left knee and maybe a 1 in my right, and even that depends on the day. I know maximum results can take up to three months, so I’m thrilled with where I already am.
I’m now realizing how much pain had quietly taken over my life. I avoided stairs, looked for chairs with arms so I could push myself up, and even changed my preferred airplane seat to avoid “scooching” across the row to the window seat. My mobility and my confidence had been shrinking without me noticing. Now I’m retraining my brain, strengthening my quads, and enjoying movement again.
Getting in and out of the car is easier. Walking feels natural. And best of all, I don’t have to plan my life around knee pain anymore. It’s like getting space back in my mind, my emotions, and my day-to-day life. I’m incredibly grateful.
I tell everyone: the experience at Medical Vein Clinic was wonderful. The diversity of the staff, the humor of the doctors, the seamless process – everything was built around helping me. There were no unnecessary appointments or delays. Just care, compassion, and results. My only regret is that this clinic doesn’t offer more services in other areas of healthcare I might need. I am genuinely thrilled I had GAE. It gave me my life back. I consider myself lucky to find Dr. Gianis; he was fabulous – I feel like I have a new friend!
I had a trip planned and hoped the procedures could be done quickly. Medical Vein Clinic didn’t waste a moment. I had my first knee done on a Wednesday, the second the following Tuesday, and I was traveling the next week. The entire experience, nurses, staff, and the process, was flawless. Everyone made me feel cared for. I even baked brownies and cookies for the staff before my second procedure, and they welcomed my goodies like it was Christmas morning.