Relieve knee pain without replacement.

If you have knee pain from osteoarthritis or chronic inflammation and want to avoid or delay joint replacement, you may be an excellent candidate. GAE is most often considered for patients with persistent pain despite physical therapy, injections, or NSAIDs — and for anyone not ready for the long recovery of total knee arthroplasty. A consultation with imaging review confirms whether your anatomy supports the procedure.

Knee replacement removes the joint and replaces it with hardware — a major operation with weeks of rehabilitation and a real risk of complications including infection or blood clots. GAE works at the source of inflammation: it's a catheter-based procedure with no incision, no general anesthesia, and same-day discharge. Most patients are walking normally within hours.

Yes. GAE has been studied extensively in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, with published trials showing significant pain reduction sustained at 12 and 24 months in appropriate candidates. The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) recognizes GAE as a valid option for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

GAE addresses inflammation by reducing blood flow to the inflamed synovial tissue — best when arthritis-related inflammation is driving the pain. PNS works downstream: a small lead placed near the genicular nerves interrupts the pain signal itself before it reaches the brain. PNS is often preferred when pain is more neuropathic (burning, shooting), when GAE anatomy is unfavorable, or when pain persists after prior surgery. Our specialists match the right approach to your specific pain pattern — and in some cases, the two are complementary.

PNS is frequently the right answer for chronic knee pain that persists after partial or total knee replacement (post-arthroplasty pain), for pain with strong nerve-related features, or when imaging suggests GAE will not be effective. A diagnostic nerve block can help predict response, and like all neurostimulation, you trial the device for 5–7 days before committing to permanent implantation — meaning you experience the relief firsthand.

No. GAE is performed under light sedation through a small pinhole in the wrist or groin. You're awake but comfortable. Most patients describe it as similar to a routine outpatient procedure and report minimal discomfort during or after.

Most patients begin noticing improvement within 2–4 weeks as the inflammation subsides, with continued benefit over 1–3 months. The mechanism — reducing inflammatory blood flow to the synovium — works gradually but durably.

Night and day. After GAE you go home the same day, walk normally within hours, and avoid the 6–12 weeks of rehabilitation that follow total knee replacement. Most patients resume work within 1–2 days.

Coverage varies by carrier and plan. Many major insurers cover GAE for osteoarthritis-related knee pain when documented appropriately. Our team verifies your benefits before scheduling and handles prior authorization.

GAE doesn't prevent future treatment. If your condition progresses, all other options — including knee replacement — remain available. For many patients GAE delays or eliminates the need for surgery entirely; for others, it provides meaningful relief while they aren't yet ready for replacement.