Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)

Genicular artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure for knee osteoarthritis pain. An interventional radiologist passes a fine catheter into the small arteries feeding the inflamed knee lining and blocks the abnormal new vessels with tiny particles. Less blood flow means less inflammation and less pain.

Studies show meaningful pain relief in a majority of selected patients for a year or more. It does not rebuild cartilage or correct alignment, and it is still a newer treatment with limited long-term and randomised evidence.

What Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) involves

After an MRI or X-ray confirms osteoarthritis and rules out other causes, you lie on an angiography table. The groin, or sometimes the foot, is numbed and a thin sheath placed in the artery. Using X-ray guidance and contrast dye, the radiologist steers a microcatheter, under a millimetre wide, into the genicular branches around the knee. Areas of inflamed synovium show as a blush of abnormal vessels, usually matching where you feel pain. Small amounts of embolic particles, or a temporary antibiotic-based embolic, are injected until the blush fades while the normal arteries stay open. Skin markers and ice on the knee help avoid affecting skin vessels. The catheter is removed and the puncture site pressed or sealed with a closure device.

Who is a good candidate for Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)?

It is aimed at people between injections and joint replacement.

• Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis with pain for more than 6 months despite physiotherapy, medication and injections
• People not ready for, not wanting, or not fit for knee replacement
• Localised tenderness that matches inflamed synovium
• Persistent pain after knee replacement from recurrent bleeding into the joint (haemarthrosis), a well recognised use

It is usually not the right choice if:

• Severe bone-on-bone arthritis with deformity, where replacement works better
• Active knee infection or inflammatory arthritis flare
• Significant peripheral arterial disease in that leg
• Severe kidney impairment or contrast allergy
• Pain mainly from a mechanical problem such as a locking meniscal tear

Technique options

• Permanent microspheres: Calibrated particles; the most studied option.
• Temporary embolic (imipenem-cilastatin): Dissolves within hours, lowering skin risk; availability varies.
• Femoral access: Standard route through the groin artery.
• Alternatives: Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation, injections, osteotomy or knee replacement, depending on stage.

What happens during your treatment

The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours under local anaesthetic with light sedation. You may feel warmth when dye is injected and an ache in the knee during embolisation. Afterwards you lie flat for 2 to 4 hours, then go home the same day.

Preparing for your trip

One session per knee. Allow a day for consultation and imaging, the procedure day, and a review 1 to 2 days later: 4 to 5 days in total. If both knees are treated, they are usually done in separate sessions a few weeks apart or on consecutive visits.

• Tell the doctor about medication, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any history of cold sores, keloid scars or autoimmune disease
• Avoid alcohol, aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers for a few days beforehand if your own doctor agrees, to reduce bruising
• Arrive without make-up on the treatment area and avoid sunbeds and strong sun for two weeks before

Recovery and results

Expect mild knee soreness and sometimes a temporary purplish skin mottling around the knee for 1 to 3 weeks. Walk normally from the next day but avoid strenuous exercise for a week. Pain relief builds over 2 to 4 weeks and is judged at 3 months. Keep up strengthening exercises, as the underlying arthritis remains.

• Back to everyday activity: 2 to 3 days
• When results show: 2 to 4 weeks
• How long they last: Often 1 to 2 years; longer data limited

Safety, risks and revision policy

Reported complications are mostly minor and short lived.

• Transient skin discolouration over the knee, the most common effect
• Bruise or haematoma at the puncture site
• Small skin ulcer from non-target embolisation, uncommon
• Temporary numbness or tingling
• No benefit in roughly a quarter to a third of patients
• Reaction to contrast dye

Every written proposal arranged through Clinic-Y states what the clinic covers if a correction is needed. Ask for it before you book, not after.

Cost of Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) in Türkiye

Clinic-Y does not publish a single price for Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE), because the honest figure depends on your case. What moves it:

• Type of embolic material used
• One or both knees
• Pre-procedure MRI and blood tests
• Angiography suite time and closure device

Send your photographs or reports and you receive written, all-inclusive proposals from suitable teams, side by side. Reviewing your case is free.

Frequently Asked Questions