Innovative Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Hope Without Major Surgery
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
For millions suffering from chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, a new hope is emerging on the medical horizon: genicular artery embolization (GAE). This minimally invasive procedure is positioning itself as a promising alternative or a bridge for those not yet ready for or eligible for total knee replacement surgery.
Knee osteoarthritis, a condition affecting an estimated 5 million people and with 24 million cases diagnosed annually in the U.S., occurs when the protective cartilage in the joint wears away, causing bones to rub against each other, leading to severe pain, swelling, and stiffness. While treatments like pain medications, steroid injections, or physical therapy can offer relief, many patients eventually consider replacement surgery, a procedure not suitable for everyone, especially those with severe obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, or who are on dialysis.
GAE is a procedure performed by interventional radiologists, typically under light sedation, in less than two hours, and on an outpatient basis. Using X-ray guidance, a catheter less than 1 millimeter in diameter is threaded into the arteries of the knee. A dye is injected to identify abnormal arteries that grow into the knee joint and contribute to inflammation and pain. Then, a temporary agent of oil and dye or biocompatible microspheres are injected to specifically block these vessels. By reducing excessive blood flow, inflammation and the nerve growth that drive knee pain are diminished. This process helps alleviate painful symptoms without damaging healthy tissue.
The University of Chicago Medicine (UChicago Medicine) launched a pilot study in 2022, becoming the first in the Midwest U.S.—and among the first in the country—to offer GAE. Dr. Osman Ahmed, an interventional radiologist, reported more than 100 procedures with overwhelmingly positive outcomes. A study by NYU Langone Health, published in the Journal of Vascular Interventional Radiology in August 2025, showed that more than 60% of the 25 participants experienced significant improvements one year after the procedure. This study also found a notable decrease in blood levels of biomarkers such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1Ra), suggesting that GAE could be modifying the disease process, not just alleviating pain.
Dr. Ryan Hickey, co-investigator of the NYU Langone Health study, emphasizes the urgent need for less invasive treatments for osteoarthritis. GAE is particularly suited for patients with moderate to severe pain that doesn't respond to first-line therapies and who seek to delay or avoid surgery. While GAE does not cure osteoarthritis or regrow cartilage, real-world data suggest a technical success rate of up to 100%, with many patients experiencing significant pain relief for 12 months or longer. Researchers continue to study the exact duration of benefits and the best candidates for the procedure, but initial results are encouraging.
The risks associated with GAE are minimal and include bleeding, infection, temporary skin discoloration, and mild pain at the incision site.
In summary, genicular artery embolization represents a significant advance in the management of knee pain due to osteoarthritis, offering a viable and effective option to improve patients' quality of life.
🔖 Sources
Comments