Knee pain caused by osteoarthritis can be debilitating, but many patients cannot have, or do not wish to have total knee replacement surgery. PrecisionIR offers a revolutionary, minimally-invasive alternative called Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE).
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Knee cartilage — the rubbery, flexible tissue that coats the ends of bones in the knee joint— makes smooth bending and movement possible. Over time, due to age or injury, this cartilage wears down, causing the bones within the knee joint to grind against each other. This leads to inflammation, pain, stiffness and swelling. Severity can vary from mild to extreme and, eventually, the condition can change the shape of the knee. Degradation of the cartilage indicates that knee osteoarthritis is developing.
“Up to half of all men and women may develop knee osteoarthritis during their lifetime,” stated Andrew Vartanian, M.D., an expert in interventional radiology who launched PrecisionIR in November 2022. “By the age of 65, nearly 60 percent of seniors are affected to some degree.”
Treating Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
Mild osteoarthritis symptoms can often be managed effectively with medication, supplements and lifestyle modifications. In some cases, physical therapy or support braces may also be recommended. However, for individuals experiencing a significant decline in quality of life, total knee replacement surgery is frequently advised. Now, thanks to an outpatient treatment offered by PrecisionIR called Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE), there is an effective alternative.
Dr. Vartanian and his colleague, Dr. Michael Savin, provide this minimally-invasive procedure, which could enable numerous individuals to delay or completely avoid knee surgery.
GAE targets specific arteries to reduce blood flow to the synovium — the lining of the knee — thereby alleviating inflammation and pain. This
process enhances mobility and improves patient well-being.
“Patients who undergo GAE may never need knee replacement surgery,” Dr. Vartanian noted. “While steroid injections often require follow-ups, GAE typically provides a longer-lasting result that may even extend several years.”
GAE Provides Knee Pain Relief
A 2021 clinical study showed that average pain scores dropped from 8 out of 10 to 3 out of 10 within the first week following GAE.
Dr. Vartanian recalled treating a woman in her mid-40s, who was experiencing severe knee pain. “She wanted to delay joint replacement surgery for as long as possible,” he said. “Since undergoing the GAE procedure two months ago, she has experienced significant relief of her pain score.”
In some cases, the relief can be so great that patients may not experience pain again in their lifetime, he noted. “It doesn’t always preclude the
necessity for an eventual joint replacement if they truly need it, but it can hopefully prolong their ability to have durable pain relief.”
Call 947-228-5500 or visit our contact us page to schedule a consultation today and learn about GAE, an innovative, non-surgical treatment for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
