How it works:
Genicular artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed by one of our highly specialized interventional radiologists (IR). Utilizing advanced imaging guidance, a small catheter (a thin hollow tube) is inserted into the patient’s upper thigh and is guided to the arteries that provide blood supply to the lining of the knee. Through this catheter, one of our IR specialists will inject tiny particles that will effectively disrupt the blood supply to the area, reducing inflammation and achieving long-term pain relief. This is a nice alternative treatment to surgery and allows our patients to return home the same day with minimal recovery time. Patients can expect to experience pain relief as soon as 2 weeks after the procedure.
Pre-procedure preparation
You will be asked to discontinue the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin), Advil, Aleve or high-dose aspirin for 5 days prior to your treatment. Please consult your primary care physician (or cardiologist) before stopping these medications, ensuring they can be held safely. It is also recommended to refrain from smoking as this can cause increased inflammation and delay healing, potentially limiting the success of your treatment.
Aftercare
You will likely experience some discomfort and/or mild swelling after the procedure. We recommend taking a pain reliever such as Tylenol as needed and using an ice pack if there is any swelling. You may return to daily activities and work at your own discretion. Please contact us so that we may help provide additional guidance.