Minimally invasive treatment for knee pain
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) uses imaging to guide treatment through a small catheter into blood vessels around the knee. It can help selected patients with pain from osteoarthritis or repeated bleeding into the joint.
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When knee pain makes walking, stairs, or everyday activities difficult, the cause matters. Genicular artery embolization can help selected patients with osteoarthritis-related inflammation or repeated bleeding into the knee joint, known as hemarthrosis.
Osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage cushioning the knee wears down. It can cause pain with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint. Age, excess weight, family history, and repeated stress or injury can increase the risk.
Hemarthrosis means bleeding inside a joint. In the knee it can cause pain, swelling, warmth, bruising, and reduced movement. It can follow an injury or surgery, or occur with a bleeding disorder or blood-thinning medication. Repeated episodes can damage the joint. Embolization may help selected patients by closing the vessels responsible for repeated bleeding.
An examination, X-rays or MRI, and sometimes blood tests help identify the cause. Osteoarthritis care may include physical therapy, medication, bracing, or injections. Bleeding into the joint may require drainage and treatment of the underlying cause. GAE is one option to discuss when symptoms persist; some people need orthopedic surgery.
Through a small access point, your interventional radiologist guides a catheter into selected arteries around the knee. Tiny particles reduce abnormal blood flow to inflamed tissue while preserving essential circulation.
The procedure is generally performed with local anesthetic and sedation, followed by observation and same-day discharge. It does not remove tissue from the joint or replace cartilage.
For osteoarthritis, treatment aims to reduce blood flow to inflamed tissue around the joint. For recurrent hemarthrosis, embolization targets the vessels responsible for bleeding. Your symptoms and imaging help us decide whether either approach is suitable.
We ask where your knee hurts, whether it swells or gives way, and what you have already tried. We review imaging, medicines, physical therapy, injections, and any previous surgery. If you have repeated bleeding into the joint, we also look at possible causes. Infection, severe instability, and other knee problems may need a different treatment.
Your care pathway
History, examination, and imaging help determine whether osteoarthritis-related inflammation is likely driving pain.
Angiography identifies the small genicular arteries associated with the painful area.
Tiny particles are delivered to reduce abnormal inflammatory blood flow while preserving normal circulation.
Follow-up focuses on pain, walking, activity, and whether additional care is needed.
Patients commonly return home the same day. Temporary soreness, bruising, or skin discoloration can occur. Activity guidance is individualized, and improvement—when it occurs—may develop over several weeks.
Common questions
Not necessarily. GAE is a different option for selected patients. Some people may still need orthopedic surgery, while others may use GAE as part of a broader nonsurgical plan.
Symptoms alone cannot confirm the cause. A clinician reviews your history, examination, and imaging before discussing GAE.
GAE is an evolving image-guided treatment supported by a growing body of research. Its suitability, coverage, and expected benefit should be discussed with an experienced clinician.
Related care
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) develops when fatty deposits narrow or block arteries and reduce blood flow, most often to the legs and feet. You may notice cramping when you walk, burning or aching in the feet and legs while at rest, or sores that take a long time to heal.
Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging veins that can cause aching, swelling, heaviness, and skin changes. Spider veins are smaller red or purple vessels near the skin’s surface. We offer treatments that close damaged veins and redirect blood through healthy veins.
Clinical education sources
Meet with our team to discuss your symptoms, review your records, and understand your treatment options.
