Genicular Artery Embolization for Knee Pain

Posted by rosesimpkin @rosesimpkin, Apr 3 6:42pm

I had a TKR three year ago and still have new pain.
I was offered a GAE ( Genicular Artery Embolization)
Does anyone know anything about this

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zephyr2309 | @zephyr2309 | Oct 14 5:31pm

In reply to @lynnw1957 "I am researching about GAE for my knees.I do not want a knee replacement but I’m..." + (show)

@lynnw1957

I had no issues with the procedure, during and during recovery. Some discoloration in the knee, which I understand to be typical. I had it on my left knee 6/9/25 and am very pleased with the result.

lynnw1957 | @lynnw1957 | Oct 15 12:53am

In reply to @zephyr2309 "@lynnw1957 I had no issues with the procedure, during and during recovery. Some discoloration in the..." + (show)

@zephyr2309
Thank you for responding.I have never had any kind of surgery so this is all new to me.Until my knees started this I’ve never had any problems but I’m going to make an appointment this week and see what they have to say,nothing else has helped.

judaline | @judaline | Oct 16 2:57pm

In reply to @lynnw1957 "@zephyr2309 Thank you for responding.I have never had any kind of surgery so this is all..." + (show)

@lynnw1957
My Research shows..it deadens the nerve which stops blood supply to the area. Wonder about this. LATEST treatment is Arthosamid injections give pain relief for a long period...as do PRP
injections (which i had 2 years ago).Suggest you do your Research ..n talk to Sports doctors too

zephyr2309 | @zephyr2309 | Oct 16 3:30pm

In reply to @judaline "@lynnw1957 My Research shows..it deadens the nerve which stops blood supply to the area. Wonder about..." + (show)

@judaline
This procedure started in Japan over 20 years ago. So I guess it depends on how one defines new. Also, my sports medicine physician supports this as I checked while meeting with the IR ( Interventional Radiologist). Also, as I noted in my initial response, I did PRP injections and had decent results. Not the case for some people. But insurance doesn’t cover it and the injections at over $900 each got expensive. At least for me. And so far, the relief didn’t last as long as the GAE.

insicknessandinhealt | @insicknessandinhealt | Oct 16 5:02pm

for me, PRP was painful and did NOTHING.

freddil | @freddil | Nov 19 11:07am

Hi-newbie here. For starters, the dates these posts have do not include the year. How do I know how old they are?
And more importantly, I've been told by several knee surgeons that I need either a partial or TKR. But just found out about GAE. When I asked my sports medicine doc about GAE, he frowned upon it, said the blood supply being cut off could mess with the bones surrounding the knee that need to be strong in the event I need a TKR down the road. Anyone hear this? Thanks.

maxsdad | @maxsdad | Nov 19 11:26am

Does Mayo do the GAE procedure for knee pain?

zephyr2309 | @zephyr2309 | Nov 19 12:02pm

In reply to @freddil "Hi-newbie here. For starters, the dates these posts have do not include the year. How do..." + (show)

@freddil
Hi - I had my procedure in June 2025. The Sports Medicine physician I’ve seen over the years was keen on me doing the procedure. And it’s been done in Japan, I think for 20 years or so. IDK if there is data to support what the Sports Medicine doctor told you. No one I met with when deciding on the procedure mentioned it. And I’m part of a two- year study of GAE.

bjw1948 | @bjw1948 | Nov 19 12:13pm

I have had to GAE's in the past 5 months, on left knee following post TKA bleeding. First GAE improved pain about 75%, so did second GAE and pain got worse.