Understanding Knee Pain and How GAE Can Help
Knee pain can make everyday tasks—like walking, climbing stairs, or even sleeping—feel like a challenge. If you’ve been told you have arthritis or osteoarthritis in your knees, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience this kind of pain, and many are now finding relief through a new, non-surgical procedure called Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE).
Let’s break it down.
What Does Arthritis Knee Pain Feel Like?
Arthritis-related knee pain often builds slowly and can feel different from person to person. Common sensations include:
- A deep ache inside the knee joint
- Sharp pain when standing up or walking
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
- Swelling or warmth around the knee
- Grinding or popping sounds when moving the joint
- Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
This pain is usually caused by inflammation and damage to the cartilage that cushions your knee bones.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Knee pain can come from many sources, but arthritis is one of the most common. Here are a few key causes:
Cause Description
- Osteoarthritis Wear-and-tear damage to cartilage over time
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Autoimmune inflammation that attacks joint lining
- Tendinitis Inflammation of tendons from overuse
- Meniscus Tears Cartilage damage from twisting or injury
- Bursitis Swelling of fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint
- Gout or Pseudogout Crystal buildup causing sudden, intense pain
If you’ve tried medications, injections, or physical therapy without success, you may be a candidate for GAE.
What Is Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)?
GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the tiny arteries feeding inflammation in your knee. Here’s how it works:
- A small catheter is inserted into an artery (usually near the groin)
- Using imaging guidance, the doctor directs it to the genicular arteries around your knee
- Tiny particles are injected to block abnormal blood flow to inflamed tissue
- This reduces inflammation and pain—without surgery
Patients go home the same day and begin feeling relief within 1–2 weeks.
How GAE Can Improve Your Life
GAE isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about getting your life back. Here’s what patients often report:
- Less pain during daily activities
- Improved mobility and walking ability
- Better sleep due to reduced discomfort
- Lower reliance on pain medications
- Avoidance or delay of knee replacement surgery
- Fast Recovery: Patients go home the same day and can generally return to normal activities, including work, the next day.
In clinical studies, over 70% of patients experienced long-term pain relief and improved quality of life.
Is GAE Right for You?
You may be a good candidate if:
- You’re between 40–80 years old
- You have moderate to severe knee pain from osteoarthritis
- You’ve tried other treatments without success
- You want to avoid surgery or aren’t ready for a knee replacement
Clinical Outcomes
- 78% of patients report meaningful pain relief within a year
- 92% experienced improved knee function
- Pain scores dropped from 8/10 to 3/10 on average
- Benefits often last 2+ years, with some patients reporting relief up to 4 years post-procedure
GAE is safe, effective, and backed by growing research. Talk with us at Pulse Vascular to see if it’s a good fit for your needs.