Who Is a Candidate for Genicular Artery Embolization?

Could GAE Be Right for Your Knee Pain?

If you have chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis, you may have already tried several treatments: anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, gel injections, physical therapy, bracing, rest, ice, or lifestyle changes.

For some patients, these treatments help. For others, pain continues to interfere with walking, stairs, exercise, work, travel, sleep, or daily routines.

Genicular Artery Embolization, or GAE, may be an option for certain patients with knee osteoarthritis pain who have not had enough relief from conservative care.

GAE is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that targets selected blood vessels around the knee. It is intended for carefully chosen patients, which means the first step is a consultation to determine whether your symptoms, imaging, and treatment history are a good match.

Common Signs You May Be a Candidate

You may be a candidate for a GAE evaluation if you have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, have pain that limits your activities, have tried conservative treatments without enough relief, and want to avoid or delay knee replacement.

Many candidates are patients who feel stuck between “keep trying the same treatments” and “consider surgery.” They may not be ready for knee replacement, may not be medically ideal for surgery, or may want to explore a minimally invasive option first.

UCLA Health describes GAE as a nonsurgical treatment alternative for patients with knee osteoarthritis pain who have failed conservative therapy and who either do not wish to undergo, or are ineligible for, knee replacement surgery.

What Your Physician Will Review

A GAE evaluation is not based on knee pain alone. Your vascular specialist will look at the full picture.

This may include your pain location, how long symptoms have been present, what makes the pain worse, what treatments you have already tried, whether injections helped, whether physical therapy helped, your knee X-rays or MRI results, your medical history, and your personal goals.

Your physician may also ask whether you have seen an orthopedic specialist and whether knee replacement has been recommended, deferred, or discussed.

The goal is to understand whether your pain is likely related to osteoarthritis inflammation that may respond to GAE.

Who May Not Be a Good Candidate?

GAE is not right for everyone.

You may need a different evaluation if your pain is caused mainly by a ligament injury, meniscus tear, infection, inflammatory arthritis, nerve pain, severe mechanical instability, hip disease, back disease, or another condition.

You may also need additional review if you have certain vascular conditions, bleeding risks, kidney problems, contrast allergies, or other medical factors that affect whether a catheter-based procedure is safe for you.

Your physician will review these issues during the consultation.

Why Realistic Expectations Matter

GAE is not a cure for arthritis. It does not rebuild cartilage or replace the joint. The goal is to reduce pain and improve function by targeting inflammation-related blood flow around the knee.

The Society of Interventional Radiology’s 2026 position statement supports GAE as a minimally invasive option for appropriately selected patients and emphasizes the importance of trained physicians and multidisciplinary care.

That means the best candidates are patients who understand what GAE is intended to do and what it is not intended to do.

When to Schedule an Evaluation

Consider scheduling a GAE consultation if knee pain is limiting your quality of life and you have already tried standard nonsurgical treatments without enough relief.

A consultation does not commit you to a procedure. It simply helps you understand whether GAE belongs in your care plan.

Call Heart Vascular & Leg Center today to find out whether you may be a candidate for Genicular Artery Embolization.