Genicular Artery Embolization

Knees are particularly prone to osteoarthritis as they age, causing worsening pain and stiffness. If your knee osteoarthritis treatments aren’t working anymore, talk to the specialists at Minimally Invasive Medical Group, which has offices in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and Irvine, California. They use minimally invasive genicular artery embolization to reduce knee pain and help you avoid joint replacement surgery. Call Minimally Invasive Medical Group to learn more about genicular artery embolization’s benefits, or schedule a consultation online today.

What is genicular artery embolization?

Genicular artery embolization is an in-office procedure that reduces blood flow to the knee joint tissues.

The Minimally Invasive Medical Group team inserts a small catheter (thin, flexible tube) into the genicular artery in your upper thigh. Using fluoroscopy (moving X-rays) to guide them, they inject tiny particles through the catheter into the knee arteries serving the painful area.

Limiting the blood supply reduces inflammation, which significantly improves pain and swelling. Genicular artery embolization takes 1 hour, after which you can go home. You should feel the pain lessening after about one month as the inflammation in your knee eases, but some patients have quicker improvement.

When might I benefit from genicular artery embolization?

You could benefit from genicular artery embolization if you suffer from treatment-resistant knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a frequent cause of joint pain, especially in later life. After decades of wear-and-tear, joints around your body might lose the protective articular cartilage covering your bones.

Without protection, the bone ends catch and rub, creating inflammation. The bones might also develop pitting, which increases inflammation.

The inflammation causes long-term joint pain that steadily gets worse. Joints swell and become increasingly stiff and weak. You might lose function and have limited mobility, depending on the joints affected. 

Any joint could get osteoarthritis, but knees are particularly vulnerable.

Is genicular artery embolization right for me?

Genicular artery embolization has no age, weight, or health condition restrictions. It’s safe, effective, lasts for years, and is covered by medical insurance. You can even have the procedure after knee replacement surgery if you still experience pain.

When knee osteoarthritis first develops, you might manage it successfully with pain medication and physical therapy. Anti-inflammatory steroid injections and/or lubricating hyaluronic acid shots can help as the pain gets worse. But nothing stops the disease from progressing.

If you can’t manage knee pain with these treatments, another option is joint replacement surgery. This involves removing the damaged bones in your knee and replacing them with artificial parts.

However, some people may not be good candidates for knee replacement, and others may be reluctant to consider a major operation involving prolonged pain and healing. Genicular artery embolization is an effective, safe alternative to knee replacement surgery. Large studies show that two-thirds of patients have significant improvement in knee pain after genicular artery embolization, which can last for several years. 

Call Minimally Invasive Medical Group today or book an appointment online to learn more about genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis.