Geniculate artery embolisation (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure performed by interventional radiologists as a treatment for osteoarthritis related inflammatory pain.

Under x-ray guidance, a micro-catheter (a very fine tube) is navigated to the artery supplying the area of inflammation in the knee. Tiny plastic beads, calibrated particles, are then deposited to reduce the excess blood supply, which in turn reduces inflammation.

The same technique has been used for many years after knee replacement surgery to reduce post-surgical bleeding, but has recently been applied to directly treat osteoarthritis before knee replacement surgery.

The aim of GAE is to reduce pain related to inflammation of the knee due to osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that knee pain scores improved for the majority of patients in the first week, lasting for a prolonged period of time. This may not treat the existing cartilage damage, and so you may still need a knee replacement some time in the future.

Having a GAE doesn’t prevent you from getting a knee replacement in the future. Because GAE only targets the abnormal arteries formed by inflammation, the normal arteries to the knee remain intact. GAE is even sometimes performed after knee replacement to reduce post-operative bleeding called haemarthrosis.

If you have pain related to osteoarthritis of the knee, GAE may be suitable for you. GAE aims to improve knee pain as a minimally invasive (surgery-free) procedure.

Patients being considered for GAE will undergo a basic assessment of their knee. This includes an x-ray and an MRI of your knee to assess the problem area. A blood test is also needed looking at your blood-clotting profile.

Geniculate artery embolisation aims to relieve knee pain due to the inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. The studies published to date indicate that pain is relieved in the short term out to the long term.

Moreover, this procedure has a shorter recovery time and fewer complications than surgery.

A good candidate for GAE is considered the following:

-Age: 40-80

-Moderate to severe knee pain that is resistant to NSAIDs, physiotherapy, and joint injection

-X-ray and MRI showing the presence of osteoarthritis without excessive bony sclerosis or bony deformity

-Want to potentially delay knee replacement, or not a candidate for knee replacement

Pain relief tends to occur within the first two weeks for most patients, signifying reduced inflammation in the knee.

A study from the Society of Interventional Radiology (USA) says “Patients saw benefits as soon as three days after the procedure. Average pain scores decreased from 8 out of 10 before GAE to 3 out of 10 within the first week. Additionally, 7 out of 10 patients reported more than 50% reduction in pain scores at the one-year follow up.”