Maximizing Geniculate Artery Embolization

Over 30 million adults in the United States live with osteoarthritis (OA), making it the most common form of arthritis. If you have it, there’s a good chance your knees are affected.

Numerous treatments can help ease your OA symptoms, thankfully, including genicular artery embolization (GAE). You may be a good candidate for GAE if you’re 40-80 years old and experience severe knee pain that hasn’t responded well to conservative treatments.

At his Midtown Manhattan, practice, double board-certified radiologist Dr. Yosef Golowa provides GAE as a minimally invasive way to restore your comfort and mobility.

The basics of knee osteoarthritis

Knee OA damages the joint and surrounding tissues as a result of “wear-and-tear” or an injury. While diagnoses are especially common between ages 55 and 64, more than half of people who develop OA symptoms are younger than 65.

Once knee osteoarthritis sets in, your symptoms may include:

• Knee pain during or after movement
• Knee stiffness, especially upon waking and after exercise
• Knee tenderness to the touch
• Difficulty moving the knee
• A grating sensation when you use the knee
• Knee swelling
• Bone spurs, or extra bits of bone around the joint

Depending on factors like the severity of your symptoms, OA treatment may include oral or injected medications, physical therapy, a minimally invasive procedure, or surgery.

How geniculate artery embolization works

Genicular artery embolization provides lasting relief from osteoarthritis, without the hassle or risks of invasive surgery. During the procedure, Dr. Golowa places a catheter in an artery in your thigh. Then, guiding with X-ray images, he moves the tube along the artery that sends blood to your knee’s lining. He then injects gel particles into the artery, which limit blood flow to problematic tissues.

As an outpatient procedure, GAE only requires twilight sedation and about an hour of your time. Individual results vary, but we find that most people notice less knee pain within two weeks.

Making the most of geniculate artery embolization

To maximize your results from GAE, make sure you follow our instructions. If you currently smoke, quitting that habit can help ensure the best outcome. You’ll also need to be infection-free at the time of the procedure, so measures like staying away from sick individuals and maintaining positive handwashing and sleep habits may help, too.

Dr. Golowa will go over your aftercare instructions, such as temporarily avoiding high-impact exercise. You can likely return to most other daily activities within a few days.

To learn more about geniculate artery embolization or get started with the knee arthritis care you need, call our office or book an appointment with Dr. Golowa through our website today.