Soris Pain & Vascular Institute

Knee Osteoarthritis

Chronic knee pain that limits walking, climbing stairs, and sleeping through the night does not always require knee replacement. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute offers genicular artery embolization (GAE) as a minimally invasive alternative for patients nationwide.

Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis

How Knee OA Presents

Knee osteoarthritis is the gradual wear and tear of the protective cartilage in the knee, accompanied by subchondral bone remodeling, osteophyte formation, and synovial inflammation that produces chronic pain and functional limitation.

Pain during weight-bearing activities is the hallmark symptom. Morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, a grinding, popping, or cracking sensation during knee flexion, and reduced range of motion develop as cartilage loss advances. Swelling around the joint increases after prolonged standing or physical activity.

When Conservative Treatment Falls Short

Physical therapy, weight management, and anti-inflammatory medications manage early-stage knee OA. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute evaluates patients whose knee pain persists despite 3 to 6 months of conservative care for genicular artery embolization candidacy.

Risk Factors for Knee Osteoarthritis

Who Develops Knee OA

Prior knee injury and excess body weight place significant mechanical stress on articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis becomes more common with age, but adults under 50 can develop it as well. Repetitive occupational kneeling and squatting accelerate joint degeneration.

Female sex, genetic predisposition, and malalignment (varus or valgus deformity) each increase OA risk. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute sees patients who have exhausted first-line treatments.

Treatment

Treatment Options for Knee Osteoarthritis

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) targets the abnormal neovascularization around the inflamed knee joint. A microcatheter delivers embolic particles to reduce blood flow to the inflamed synovium, decreasing pain and swelling.

Our physicians perform GAE at Soris Pain & Vascular Institute in collaboration with Physician Leadership partners Dr. Yuji Okuno, Founding Physician of Soris and the pioneer of GAE, and Dr. Osman Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer of Soris. The procedure takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes under local anesthesia.

Conservative Management

Physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation, and bracing remain first-line treatments. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute recommends GAE when these approaches no longer provide adequate relief.

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)

Related Musculoskeletal Conditions

Knee osteoarthritis shares inflammatory mechanisms with hip osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, and other degenerative joint conditions. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute applies embolization techniques to multiple MSK conditions.

Patients with bilateral knee OA may undergo staged GAE procedures. Each knee is treated in a separate session to allow recovery monitoring.

FAQ

Common Questions About Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment

What is genicular artery embolization?

GAE is a catheter-based procedure that blocks the tiny blood vessels feeding knee inflammation. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute performs GAE as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia.

Who is a candidate for GAE?

Patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 to 3 knee osteoarthritis who have not responded to physical therapy and injections are candidates. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute evaluates each patient with imaging and clinical assessment.

How long do GAE results last?

Published studies report pain reduction lasting 12 to 24 months after GAE. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute monitors outcomes with follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.