Persistent Knee Pain
Pain that continues despite rest, medication, physical therapy, or injections may be related to knee osteoarthritis and deserves a closer look.
Advanced Knee Pain Treatment in Twin Falls, ID
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) for Knee Pain
Chronic knee pain can make it hard to walk, climb stairs, or enjoy everyday activities. If knee osteoarthritis is limiting your mobility and medication, physical therapy, or injections have not provided enough relief, genicular artery embolization may be worth discussing. At The Vascular Surgery Center of Excellence, our vascular team provides GAE for knee pain in Twin Falls, ID. This minimally invasive knee embolization procedure may help reduce pain and improve function for carefully selected patients. Published studies report encouraging results, although research is still developing, and individual outcomes vary.
Could Your Knee Pain Be Caused by Osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of ongoing knee pain. Symptoms often develop slowly and may become more disruptive over time. If pain is affecting your ability to walk, exercise, work, or enjoy your favorite activities, a knee pain specialist can help you review treatment options beyond medication or injections.
Stiffness
Morning stiffness or trouble bending and straightening your knee can make walking, getting dressed, or standing up more difficult.
Swelling
Inflammation around the knee can cause swelling, tenderness, and discomfort during everyday movement.
Reduced Mobility
Difficulty climbing stairs, walking longer distances, standing for extended periods, or taking part in activities you once enjoyed may be signs that knee arthritis is affecting daily life.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, an evaluation can help identify the cause and determine whether the GAE knee procedure or another knee arthritis treatment may be appropriate.
What You Need to Know
What is Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)?
Genicular artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. During the GAE procedure, a doctor guides a thin tube through a small artery in the foot to the blood vessels around the painful knee. Tiny particles are then placed to reduce extra blood flow linked with inflammation. Clinical research has studied this approach to ease pain while maintaining normal circulation to the knee.
GAE does not rebuild cartilage or cure arthritis. It is a non-surgical knee pain treatment that may help reduce symptoms and make daily movement more comfortable. Although it is sometimes described as an alternative to knee replacement, it does not replace the joint and is not a direct substitute for knee replacement when it is medically necessary.
What to Expect
Your care starts with a consultation, review of your symptoms, and imaging to decide whether genicular embolization is a reasonable option for you. Dr. Elliot Adams will explain the potential benefits, limits, and risks of the GAE knee procedure before you choose treatment.
During treatment, Dr. Adams uses live X-ray guidance to move a small catheter to the arteries around the painful area of the knee. Tiny particles are placed through the catheter to reduce the unwanted blood flow. The procedure uses a small puncture in the foot instead of a large incision and does not require general anesthesia. Patients return home the same day and resume light activity as directed by their doctor.
Evidence-Based Care
Research on GAE is promising and continues to grow. Most studies show significant pain improvement in most patients. We can provide you with a packet summarizing the current research on genicular artery embolization (GAE). Because the evidence is still developing, we base recommendations on your symptoms, imaging, previous treatments, overall health, and goals—not on a one-size-fits-all promise.
Are You a Candidate?
You may be a candidate for genicular artery embolization if you:
- Have ongoing knee pain caused by osteoarthritis
- Still have pain after medication, physical therapy, or other conservative care
- Received limited or short-term relief from corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections
- Want to explore a minimally invasive option before knee replacement, when medically appropriate
- Cannot have a joint replacement because of another health condition
- Understand that GAE may reduce symptoms but does not cure arthritis or rebuild cartilage
A consultation with our vascular surgeon can determine whether GAE is a suitable treatment for your knee osteoarthritis. Some people may be better served by continued conservative care or an orthopedic evaluation.
Benefits of Genicular Artery Embolization
For an appropriately selected patient, potential benefits may include:
- Less chronic knee pain
- Improved mobility and daily function
- A small catheter entry site instead of a large surgical incision
- Same-day outpatient care
- A shorter recovery than knee replacement surgery
- A treatment plan based on your symptoms, imaging, and goals
Results vary, and not every patient improves after GAE. Your doctor will discuss realistic expectations based on your individual condition.
Comparing Your Treatment Options
| Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) | Knee Replacement Surgery | Medication, Injections & Therapy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Selected patients with ongoing osteoarthritis pain | Advanced joint damage when replacement is appropriate | First-step or ongoing symptom care |
| Approach | Image-guided treatment through a small catheter | Damaged joint surfaces are replaced surgically | Medication, injections, exercise, or physical therapy |
| Incisions | Small catheter entry site | Surgical incision | None |
| Recovery Time | Often shorter; varies by patient | Longer rehabilitation period | No procedural recovery for medication or therapy |
| Hospital Stay | Outpatient office procedure; our patients go home the same day | Hospital or surgery-center recovery | Not applicable |
| Primary Goal | Reduce pain linked with inflammation | Replace damaged joint surfaces | Manage pain and support movement |
| Important Limit | Does not rebuild cartilage or guarantee pain relief | Major surgery with rehabilitation | Relief may be temporary or incomplete |
When comparing GAE vs knee replacement, GAE treats pain through arteries around the knee, while surgery replaces damaged joint surfaces. GAE may help some patients delay or avoid major surgery, but every patient has different needs.
Why Patients Choose The VSCE
Patients throughout Idaho and surrounding states trust The Vascular Surgery Center of Excellence because we offer:
Specialized Expertise
Focused exclusively on vascular surgery and endovascular care.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
Including minimally invasive procedures and open vascular surgery.
Personalized Care
Tailored to each patient’s unique diagnosis, medical history, and goals.
Evidence-Based Treatments
Guided by the latest advances in vascular surgery and endovascular treatment.
Compassionate Support
From a team that values education, communication, and long-term relationships.
Meet Dr. Elliot Adams
Dr. Elliot Adams, MD, RPVI, is a board-certified vascular surgeon and the founder of The Vascular Surgery Center of Excellence. Serving patients throughout Idaho and surrounding states, he provides personalized care for Peripheral Artery Disease and other complex arterial conditions. His experience with both minimally invasive endovascular procedures and traditional vascular surgery enables him to recommend treatment tailored to each patient’s symptoms, health, and goals. Dr. Adams places particular emphasis on restoring circulation, preserving mobility, and preventing limb loss whenever possible. Known for his compassionate, patient-centered approach, he takes time to explain each diagnosis, answer questions, and ensure patients understand their options before moving forward with treatment.
Request a Knee Pain Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)?
Genicular artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces extra blood flow linked with inflammation around an arthritic knee. The goal is to reduce pain and improve function without replacing the joint.
Will Genicular Artery Embolization cure my arthritis?
No. GAE does not reverse osteoarthritis or replace damaged cartilage. It reduces pain for many patients, but results vary. Your care team can help you compare it with other treatment options for knee pain.
How long does recovery take after GAE?
Our patients go home the same day and return to light activities within a few days, but recovery varies. GAE knee procedure cost also varies by insurance coverage, medical needs, and facility fees; our team can review expected costs and benefits before treatment.