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Has knee pain has held you back year after year? Make this the year you finally find lasting relief. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive option for chronic knee pain that has the power to stop the pain and restore mobility.
About one in four Americans has knee pain. And whether your discomfort comes from arthritis, inflammation from an old injury, or age-related degeneration, it can turn simple activities like walking, climbing stairs, or enjoying your favorite hobbies into a daily struggle.
Traditional treatment options range from physical therapy and medications to steroid injections and knee replacement surgery. But many people find themselves in a gap: they’ve tried conservative care without sufficient relief, yet aren’t ready (or ideal candidates) for surgery.
That’s where genicular artery embolization (GAE) comes in. GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that can help reduce chronic knee pain and improve function. If you’re tired of living with knee pain, make 2026 the year you find a solution that really works.
Our team at Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care specializes in GAE in Hobart, La Porte, Merrillville, Munster, and Valparaiso, Indiana. Here are three reasons to consider GAE in the new year.
1. Targeted relief for chronic knee pain without surgery
GAE is an innovative procedure that addresses the source of your knee pain by reducing excessive blood flow to the inflamed areas around your knee joint. Chronic inflammation irritates nerves and contributes heavily to ongoing discomfort, especially in conditions like osteoarthritis, where your joint’s protective cartilage has worn down over time.
During the GAE procedure, we send tiny particles through a catheter to selectively block (or “embolize”) the blood vessels feeding the inflamed tissue in your joint. The result? The inflamed tissues lose blood supply, inflammation decreases, nerve irritation settles down, and pain improves. GAE works by interrupting the inflammation cycle that drives pain to provide meaningful and often long-lasting relief.
2. A minimally invasive procedure with faster recovery
One of the biggest barriers to treating chronic knee pain is the fear of surgery, and rightfully so. Knee replacement surgery can be very effective, but it requires general anesthesia, a hospital stay, and weeks (or even months) of rehabilitation.
GAE is an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia. We access the targeted knee vessels through a small incision, often in the groin, and use real-time imaging to guide treatment precisely where it’s needed.
Because GAE does not involve cutting or removing bone, it avoids many of the complications and lengthy recovery periods associated with surgical joint replacement. For many patients, that means less downtime and a quicker return to daily life.
Most people experience only minimal discomfort during the procedure and recover much more quickly than with traditional surgery. You can expect to return home the same day and gradually resume normal activities within a few days or weeks.
3. Proven pain reduction and improved function
Clinical research shows that GAE has very high success rates, and it offers significant benefits for people with chronic knee pain. Many patients report:
- Less severe pain
- Improved ability to walk, climb stairs, or exercise
- Decreased reliance on pain medications
- Enhanced quality of life
While results vary between individuals, a growing body of evidence supports GAE as a safe and effective option, especially for people who haven’t found lasting relief with other treatments like physical therapy, injections, medications, or lifestyle changes.
Is GAE right for you?
If knee pain is limiting your ability to stay active or enjoy life, this year could be the one where you finally take a new step toward relief. Our interventional team at Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care has specialized training and experience in performing GAE, and we offer personalized care based on your anatomy and pain patterns.
We can help you determine if GAE is a good option for you with a comprehensive assessment. We’ll review your medical history, your symptoms, and any knee pain treatments you’ve already tried.
You could be a good candidate for GAE if you have chronic knee pain that hasn’t responded to conservative care and you want an alternative to knee replacement surgery. GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a faster recovery, and it can significantly improve mobility and reduce pain.
Chronic knee pain doesn’t have to be your new normal. GAE can target the pain at its source, without major surgery, and our team is committed to guiding you through your options with clarity, expertise, and compassion. If you’re ready to explore a tailored approach to knee pain relief, contact us online or call us at 219-476-7246 today.