How effective is genicular artery embolisation (GAE) for knee osteoarthritis pain? As a newer procedure in comparison to many other treatments, like viscosupplementation, there are continual and ongoing studies measuring the effectiveness of GAE, with preliminary research showing positive results.
This article explores the latest research on GAE effectiveness for osteoarthritis knee pain, including how the results of GAE are measured.
GAE, or genicular artery embolisation, is considered an effective treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain. By limiting blood flow to the affected layer in the knee, the particles injected through GAE treatment help reduce inflammation, reducing pain, swelling and stiffness.
Research has shown GAE resulted in:
In general, genicular artery embolisation is considered a safe, effective treatment for knee pain. Specific results vary between cases. Booking a consultation with your interventional radiologist can help you learn how effective GAE may be for you.
A visual analogue scale (VAS) is a method of measuring pain or other identifiers following a treatment. It helps participants be able to conceptualise their pain in a way that’s easy and can be translated by most people. When calculating a VAS score, the study conductor or medical professional will draw a line, anchored at each end with a word to simulate maximum pain and no pain. There will typically then be 10 or 100 markers along the scale. The participant then marks their pain before treatment, and then again after treatment or at intervals, such as every 3 months. Their score can then be measured out of 10 or 100 and compared before and after to provide a measurement on the effectiveness of a treatment, such as GAE.
The Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scoring system is specifically used to measure the severity of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Participants take a sem-administered questionnaire, which consists of 24 items across 3 subscales. They are asked about pain when walking, using stairs, in bed, sitting or lying, and standing upright, stiffness after first waking and later in the day, as well as physical function when performing a range of tasks. These tasks include using stairs, putting on and taking off socks, rising from bed, lying in bed, getting in/out of bath, sitting, getting on and off the toilet, heavy domestic duties and light domestic duties.
The Knee Injury & Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) is another scoring system specifically used to measure pain from knee injuries or osteoarthritis. Similar to the WOMAC scale, participants take a self-administered test. They mark different levels of pain from non to extreme, symptoms from none to extreme, activities of daily living from none to extreme, sport and recreation function from none to extreme and knee-related quality of life from never to always/totally/extreme.
Participants of the Wong Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale are presented with a line of faces, numbers and words to help them best identify their level of pain. Six faces are typically used, ranging from a very happy face to a very sad face. These are often marked with colours from green (indicating no pain) to red (indicating maximum pain). It may be ranked from 0 to 10 (or 1 to 5), or use words like ‘no hurts’ or ‘hurts a lot’. This is often used with children, but can be used in identifying pain at any age.
GAE can help many people, but not everyone. Before treatment, your doctor and interventional radiologist will assess if you’re a candidate for treatment, including if you:
If you believe GAE is the right option for you, please do not hesitate to contact us to book a consultation.