December 9, 2024
The Genicular Artery Embolisation procedure has been shown to provide long-term results for people who experience mild to severe osteoarthritis knee pain. While it’s a minimally invasive treatment with studies showing a 99.7% success rate, it’s natural to feel a little nervous before undergoing any procedure. So, learning what to expect during your GAE procedure can help you feel prepared before your treatment.
When osteoarthritis occurs in the knee or knees, the joint/s can become inflamed, stiff and swollen. This inflammation releases inflammatory cytokines, which damages nerve tissue and nerve cells, triggering a nerve inflammation response, which induces pain. GAE uses tiny particles to help restrict blood flow to the knee, helping to ease inflammation, therefore reducing pain. This pain relief can be experienced within 3 days, and can last between 3 to 24 months.
How is the GAE Procedure Performed?
Step 1: Book a consultation.
The first step of a genicular artery embolisation treatment is your consultation. Your interventional radiologist will take diagnostic imaging, such as an MRI or angiography, which will give them a visual of your knee’s vascular anatomy and to be able to identify your genicular arteries for treatment. They’ll walk you through the process, how a GAE may be able to help you and your case, any risks and answer any questions you have. You’ll also be advised if you need to fast before your treatment and if you need to adjust or temporarily pause any medications, such as blood thinners before your treatment. Some medications can increase bleeding or interfere with anaesthesia, so it’s important to advise your interventional radiologist if you are taking any medication.
Step 2: Anaesthesia or sedation is applied the day of.
On the day of your GAE procedure, you’ll have a local anaesthesia applied to the incision site, which is typically in the groin region. Once the anaesthesia has been applied, you’ll be positioned on the procedure table, your leg/s will be prepared and draped using sterile procedures.
Step 3: An incision is made and a catheter is inserted.
Once the treatment site is ready, your interventional radiologist will make a small incision in the groin to be able to access your femoral artery, a large blood vessel that provides oxygenated blood to your lower extremities. A thin, flexible tube made of a medical-grade material, called a catheter, is then inserted into the femoral artery.
Step 4: X-rays are used to navigate genicular arteries.
With the catheter inserted, the interventional radiologist will then use real-time x-ray imaging, called fluoroscopy, to guide the catheter through your arterial system to the genicular arteries around your knee. They may also inject a contrast agent to help increase image quality to better see your blood vessels for the most accurate catheter positioning.
Step 5: Embolic agents are injected.
When the catheter is in the correct position, tiny particles or beads, known as embolic agents, are injected into the treatment site through the catheter. These agents block the blood flow to the targeted genicular arteries, therefore reducing the blood supply to the inflamed synovium. Another round of imaging may be performed to help confirm the targeted arteries have been successfully blocked for a successful procedure.
Step 6. The incision site is closed.
With the treatment complete, the catheter is removed, the small incision is closed with either suture or by applying pressure to ensure there’s no pressure. You’ll then be taken to the recovery area for observation where your vital signs are monitored before you head home. The whole process takes around an hour to complete, plus recovery time.
Step 6: A follow-up appointment is booked.
Your interventional radiologist will schedule a follow- up appointment to assess your progress and level of pain relief achieved, as well as check for any late complications.
What to Expect During Recovery
After your GAE treatment, you’ll be taken to a recovery area where your vital signs will be monitored and your entry site checked for any complications for 2 to 3 hours. With good health, you will be discharged and sent home with instructions to rest for the remainder of the day and avoid strenuous activities, including exercising, for a few days.
Take the Next Step Towards Pain Relief
If you're interested in learning more about how genicular artery embolisation can provide relief from knee pain, our team at Northern Beaches Interventional Radiology is here to help. We specialise in minimally invasive treatments that target the root cause of your discomfort, helping you regain mobility and improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how our expert care can make a difference for you.
