If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), you may have been told that anti-inflammatories and joint injections are your only treatment options, short of joint replacement surgery. However, did you know that genicular artery embolization (GAE), a non-surgical, outpatient treatment, is being used to successfully relieve the pain caused by DJD?
Genicular artery embolization is an interventional radiology treatment for DJD that offers highly effective and long-lasting relief of the pain caused by chronic joint disease. Much of the pain experienced in osteoarthritis comes from abnormal blood vessels that form in the lining of the joint. GAE works by blocking these abnormal blood vessels, causing inflammation to subside.
The procedure is performed by interventional radiologists – doctors specially trained to do minimally invasive vascular procedures, such as angioplasty and embolization, to treat a variety of conditions.
During GAE, a doctor positions a catheter through a small needle puncture in the leg and into the blood vessels that supply the joint using xray guidance. Once positioned, tiny microsphere particles are slowly released to slow the blood supply to the joint. Following this procedure patients usually experience dramatic pain relief.
Recovery from embolization is much faster than surgery because there is no incision to heal or stitches to be removed. The risk of bleeding and complications is lower than with invasive surgery.
Patients who undergo GAE have reported significant reductions in pain scores and use of pain medications, and significant increases in function scores. These improvements were sustained for several months from just one treatment.
Advantage IR is at the forefront of the latest Interventional Radiology procedures that provide an effective alternative to surgery with minimal recovery time. From our doctors to our clinical staff, you will receive the quality care you deserve in a safe and comfortable environment.
Advantage IR uses state of the art equipment to provide the best in patient outcomes and care. All of our interventional radiologists are board-certified and have extensive experience and success using these minimally invasive techniques to treat patients with a variety of disorders.
Discover more about DJD and the GAE procedure.
WEBINAR
Watch this webinar to find out to discover how Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) can delay or eliminate the need for a Knee Replacement. Here's what you'll learn...
EBOOK
Today there are new alternatives to successfully relieve the pain caused by DJD, including genicular artery embolization (GAE), a non-surgical, outpatient treatment. Here's what you'll learn...
To learn more about GAE and find out if interventional radiology is right for you, call today or complete the form below.
(915) 248-1277 
