Millions of people suffer from knee pain every day – and it can truly be debilitating, affecting every aspect of your life.
For many of these people, it may feel like they have exhausted all available treatment options, yet you’ve only found temporary relief.
Perhaps you are one of those living with knee pain.
In this article, we explore the common causes of knee pain and discuss traditional non-surgical treatments.
Then, we’ll introduce you to a breakthrough solution that is changing the game: Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE).
We’ll explain why this treatment is considered a better option than others, and how our experts at Centers for Knee Pain can help you find lasting relief.
The Burden of Knee Pain
Knee pain affects many people, but the cause of the pain can vary. Knee pain can stem from various sources, including:
- Osteoarthritis (OA): Patients with OA have wear and tear on the joints, which causes the cartilage to break down, leading to consistent bone-on-bone contact and pain [1].
- Injuries: Knee pain can stem from trauma, sports injuries, or repetitive strain[4].
- Overuse: If a person uses their knee too much, the excessive stress on the knee joint leads to inflammation and pain[9].
- Age: As someone becomes older, they may experience joint deterioration over time [10].
These conditions can lead to a range of symptoms. Some may only experience mild discomfort, while others live with severe pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
If left untreated, knee pain can significantly impact your daily life, as everyday activities become more difficult to manage.
Traditional Non-Surgical Treatments
If you’re familiar with knee pain, you may already be familiar with some of the available non-surgical treatments.
However, many offer only temporary relief or come with significant drawbacks.
These treatments include:
- Physical therapy: Exercise and stretching programs can help strengthen surrounding muscles[8].
- Injections: Steroids or PRP injections can reduce inflammation and lubricate the joint[10].
- Medications: Patients may take pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication to manage symptoms[10].
- Bracing: Some may wear orthotics or knee sleeves to provide extra support and stability[9].
However, these treatments often have limitations, such as:
- Short-term relief: Symptoms may return once treatment is stopped, meaning the person will need repeated treatments to manage pain consistently[1].
- Potential side effects: Medications may have adverse reactions, and injections may cause infection or allergic reactions[10].
- Limited effectiveness: These treatments may not address the underlying cause of knee pain[9].
Introducing GAE: A Breakthrough Solution
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the root cause of knee pain: inflammation[1].
In this procedure, the doctor inserts a catheter, and a specialized material is inserted that blocks the genicular arteries in the area that supply blood to the knee joint.
By blocking this blood flow to the affected area, GAE reduces inflammation and provides long-lasting relief.
Why Choose GAE over Other Options?
Image – someone smiling and leaving the office
GAE offers several advantages over traditional non-surgical treatments:
- Long-term relief: GAE provides sustained pain relief, while other treatments may require repeated injections or medications to manage pain[2].
- Minimally invasive: GAE is a simple, outpatient procedure, reducing the risk of complications and downtime[3].
- Quick recovery: Patients can resume their normal activities within a few days, compared to longer recovery times for surgical options[3].
Centers for Knee Pain: Your Trusted Partner for GAE
At Centers for Knee Pain, our expert physicians have extensive experience performing GAE procedures[4] and provide top-of-the-line care to all our patients. We pride ourselves on providing personalized care to each individual, taking the time to understand each patient’s unique needs and concerns.
Our state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology ensure a safe and comfortable experience[6].
We’re committed to helping you find lasting relief from knee pain and reclaim your active lifestyle.
Conclusion
Don’t let knee pain hold you back any longer. GAE is waiting for you. Take the first step toward a pain-free life today!
Book your appointment with us.
Or, if you’re wondering if GAE is the right solution for you, take our FREE knee quiz!
Citations
- Afzali, T., Fangel, M., Vestergaard, A., Rathleff, M., Ehlers, L., & Jensen, M. (2018). Cost-effectiveness of treatments for non-osteoarthritic knee pain conditions: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209240
- Skou, S., Roos, E., Laursen, M., Rathleff, M., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Simonsen, O., & Rasmussen, S. (2012). Efficacy of multimodal, systematic non-surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis for patients not eligible for a total knee replacement: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 2. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002168
- Surakanti, A., Beckler, M., & Kesselman, M. (2023). Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Treatments for the Knee: Which Is More Effective?. Cureus, 15. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.34860
- Tedesco, D., Gori, D., Desai, K., Asch, S., Carroll, I., Curtin, C., McDonald, K., Fantini, M., & Hernandez-Boussard, T. (2017). Drug-Free Interventions to Reduce Pain or Opioid Consumption After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Surgery, 152, e172872–. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2017.2872
- Thompson, T., Ahmed, B., Weldon, S., Efthimiou, O., & Stubbs, B. (2020). Relative effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for pain management in knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a component network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Open, 11. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048298
- Larsen, J., Roos, E., Laursen, M., Holden, S., Johansen, M., Rathleff, M., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Rasmussen, S., & Skou, S. (2022). Five-year follow-up of patients with knee osteoarthritis not eligible for total knee replacement: results from a randomised trial. BMJ Open, 12. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060169
- Wang, Z., Xu, H., Wang, Z., Zhou, H., Diao, J., Zhang, L., Wang, Y., Li, M., & Zhou, Y. (2023). Effects of externally-applied, non-pharmacological Interventions on short- and long-term symptoms and inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Frontiers in Immunology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1309751
- Reddy, R., Wang, Y., Scully, R., & Thakkar, S. (2023). Invasive Non-Arthroplasty Treatment Options for Knee Osteoarthritis: Review. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics. https://doi.org/10.13107/jcorth.2023.v08i01.549
