Knee Pain Treatment — Genicular Artery Embolisation (GAE)

In middle and older age, especially in people who are overweight, pain associated with degenerative changes of the knee joint (osteoarthritis) develops. Treatment is based on embolising the branches of the genicular arteries that feed the abnormal vessels formed in the inflamed synovial tissue; this reduces inflammation and the transmission of pain signals. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia with the patient awake; the joint space is not entered.

• Kellgren–Lawrence grade I–III osteoarthritis with pain persisting for more than 3 months despite medication
• Pain at night while sleeping or when climbing stairs
• An orthopaedic examination and knee MRI are advisable before the procedure