Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, and the knee joint is one of the most frequently affected joints. In fact, cases of osteoarthritis are rising dramatically—between 1990 and 2019, researchers documented an increase of more than 110%!
Accurate, precise imaging techniques can help deliver safe and effective treatment, allowing those with osteoarthritis of the knee to continue enjoying active and healthy lifestyles. One treatment the experts at Forefront Radiology are offering is geniculate artery embolization.
Let’s look at what each word means:
Putting those definitions together means “blocking an artery in the knee.” Most of the time a blocked artery is a bad thing, but in the case of geniculate artery embolization (GAE) it reduces inflammation and pain.
When your doctor recommends this treatment, it’s because they believe that blocking some of the blood flow to your damaged joint will help reduce inflammation. You experience less pain when there’s less inflammation, which means you can move your knee more.
GAE is a minimally invasive procedure, which means you don’t have a large incision. Instead, your doctor places a thin needle and a small tube, called a catheter, in a blood vessel, usually in your groin. The catheter is used to inject dye into the blood vessels that go to your leg.
The dye makes the blood vessels more visible in imaging, which your doctor uses to be very precise during the procedure. Once the blood vessels are clearly visible, your doctor injects tiny bits of a material that block them, so that blood can’t get through.
GAE is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home after the procedure. Recovery generally only requires a few days. You can resume all normal activities after a week or so.
You should notice less pain within a few weeks. The effects of GAE last for a long time, though usually not permanently. For many patients, GAE is a way to postpone more invasive treatments like total knee replacement surgery.
If you choose to undergo GAE to treat your osteoarthritis of the knee, it’s important to work with an extremely well-trained and experienced radiology practice such as Forefront Radiology. Precision is one of the most important elements involved in the procedure because exactly the right blood vessels need to be blocked in order for it to be a successful treatment.
Before your procedure, we will make sure that you’re a good candidate for GAE. During your procedure, we use our knowledge, skills, and state-of-the-art equipment to precisely guide your provider.
If you’d like to learn more about GAE, schedule an appointment at Forefront Radiology in Fresno California today.
