Promising Treatment to Relieve Knee Osteoarthritis: Genicular Artery Embolization
In Spain, osteoarthritis is the leading cause of work disability, affecting nearly 75% of people over the age of 55. This cartilage degeneration causes chronic pain, with no definitive cure, and conventional options—medication and surgery—are not always viable, especially for patients with risk factors such as obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, or heart
A New Hope from NYU Langone Health
A team from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine has shown that a minimally invasive procedure, performed in less than two hours under mild sedation, can significantly reduce chronic knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
The treatment, known as Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE), selectively blocks abnormal blood vessels supplying the inflamed joint, reducing neovascularization, the influx of inflammatory cells, and therefore both pain and disease progression.
How GAE Works
A catheter guided by imaging is inserted into the genicular arteries, where embolic microspheres are injected to block them. In the NYU study, more than 60% of the 25 patients treated experienced significant improvements one year after the procedure, with no major complications. Additionally, researchers observed an average reduction of 12% in VEGF and 15% in IL-1Ra, key biomarkers linked to inflammation and joint damage.
Additional Scientific Evidence
- A recent publication in Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology analyzed 43 patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–4). It reported an average reduction of 2 points in walking pain scores after one year, with only minor side effects such as mild skin changes.
- A systematic review with meta-analysis concluded that GAE provides sustained pain reduction, with decreases of 30–41 points on the VAS scale after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
- Another retrospective study of 236 patients revealed a clinical success rate of 54% after one year, with better outcomes in younger patients and those with mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
- GAE is considered safe, with minor adverse effects such as temporary skin discoloration, bruising, or short-term paresthesia. Serious complications, like unintended embolization outside the target area, are very rare.
Why Is This a Significant Innovation?
- Outpatient and quick (1–2 hours), with almost immediate recovery.
- Provides sustained pain relief and functional improvement, even in cases unresponsive to conventional therapies.
- Serves as an effective intermediate treatment for patients who are not yet candidates—or cannot undergo—knee replacement surgery.
- Offers a new therapeutic pathway that clinically modifies the inflammatory process, not just the symptoms.
Conclusion
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) emerges as a safe, effective, and minimally invasive option to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, particularly in patients with physical limitations or surgical risks. It represents a breakthrough in the management of this chronic disease, with growing support from clinical studies and systematic reviews.