Dr. Zachary Fang from the Vascular Care Group discusses the procedure called GAE (Genicular Artery Embolization) for knee osteoarthritis. GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the small blood vessels in the knee joint to block inflammation and reduce pain. It is an alternative for patients who want to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery. The procedure can also be done for patients who have already had a knee replacement but still experience pain. GAE is suitable for patients with comorbidities who are not candidates for knee replacement. The procedure has low risks and can provide long-lasting pain relief. Dr. Zachary Fang discusses the recovery process after geniculate artery embolization (GAE) for knee osteoarthritis. He advises patients to take it easy for the first 48 hours after the procedure and gradually resume normal activities over the course of a week. Pain relief post-surgery is not immediate, but patients typically experience a 25% decrease in pain in the first week, followed by a 10% reduction each week for six weeks. The majority of improvement is seen by three months, and long-term data from Japan shows continued pain reduction even after two years. GAE is a potential alternative for patients who want to avoid knee replacement surgery. If patients experience discomfort again several months after the procedure, a repeat GAE can be considered after at least three months. Dr. Fang also mentions the possibility of using GAE for other weight-bearing joints like hips and shoulders in the future.

Takeaways

1. GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the small blood vessels in the knee joint to block inflammation and reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
2. GAE can be an alternative for patients who want to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery.
3. The procedure can also be done for patients who have already had a knee replacement but still experience pain.
4. GAE is suitable for patients with comorbidities who are not candidates for knee replacement.
5. The procedure has low risks and can provide long-lasting pain relief. After geniculate artery embolization (GAE) for knee osteoarthritis, patients should take it easy for the first 48 hours and gradually resume normal activities over a week.
6. Pain relief after GAE is not immediate, but patients typically experience a 25% decrease in pain in the first week, followed by a 10% reduction each week for six weeks.
7. The majority of improvement is seen by three months, and long-term data from Japan shows continued pain reduction even after two years.
8. GAE is a potential alternative for patients who want to avoid knee replacement surgery, especially younger individuals still working in physically demanding fields. If patients experience discomfort again several months after GAE, a repeat procedure can be considered after at least three months.
9. There is a possibility of using GAE for other weight-bearing joints like hips and shoulders in the future.