Recovering from Genicular Artery Embolization: What to Expect

If you have advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA), you know how life-altering the joint condition can be. As a degenerative disease, OA tends to worsen over time, especially without treatment. 

If conservative care only goes so far to minimize your knee issues, consider genicular artery embolization (GAE). This minimally invasive procedure may even help you avoid knee replacement surgery. 

With his expert team at our Midtown Manhattan, New York, practice, double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist Dr. Yosef Golowa provides GAE to reduce your pain and improve your quality of life.

If you’re considering GAE, read on to learn what to expect from your recovery.

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms

Knee OA affects people differently, but the most common symptoms include:

• Pain that may worsen with activity or inactivity
• Knee buckling or instability
• Knee stiffness, particularly upon waking 
• Knee redness and swelling
• Grinding sensations when you use your knee

Your symptoms may stay fairly constant, ebb and flow, or gradually worsen over years or decades. 

How genicular artery embolization works

GAE reduces arthritic knee pain by blocking blood flow to the joint’s lining. Less blood flow to the region means less inflammation, making way for less pain.

During this outpatient procedure, Dr. Golow inserts a catheter into your upper leg. Through it, he guides tiny gel particles into the arteries that supply your knee with blood to improve circulation. Blood will still flow healthfully throughout your body after GAE, just not in ways that fuel OA pain.

GAE recovery

Because GAE is an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure, you can return home the same day. You should be able to go about light activities within a day or two and start resuming most other activities soon after that. 

Most people experience significantly less pain and inflammation starting about two weeks after the GAE procedure. 

To make the most of your GAE recovery, follow your aftercare instructions and contact our office with any questions or concerns. Lifestyle measures like eating an anti-inflammatory diet, staying well hydrated, and engaging in physical therapy (PT) as directed can help, too.

GAE results

GAE has a high success rate for reducing pain and improving function in people with osteoarthritis. It’s especially helpful for treating severe knee OA. 

One study showed that patients who received GAE had at least 61% less pain one year after the procedure than beforehand. 

As you benefit from GAE, you may be able to rely less on pain medication and find exercise or PT more feasible. The more you safely move and exercise your knee and body, the more you can protect your long-term health overall.

To learn about genicular artery embolization recovery or to receive personalized support, call our office today at 212-991-9991. You can also book an appointment with Dr. Golowa through our website.