Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Our in-office treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee reduces the inflamed arthritis in your knee without injections or surgery, so you can enjoy life without knee pain.
Minimally Invasive
Shorter Recovery Time
Fewer Complications
The Osteoarthritis Solution
Discover why patients are choosing this non-surgical alternative to knee replacement surgery for treating osteoarthritis of the knee.
If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), you may have been told that anti-inflammatories and joint injections are your only treatment options, short of joint replacement surgery. However, did you know that genicular artery embolization (GAE), a non-surgical, outpatient treatment, is being used to successfully relieve the pain caused by DJD?
What is Genicular Artery Embolization?
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is an interventional radiology treatment for degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis, which is a chronic and progressive disease that causes pain and inflammation in the joint. The procedure is designed to alleviate pain by blocking the blood supply to the abnormal blood vessels that form in the lining of the joint, resulting in subsiding inflammation and pain relief.
The procedure is performed by interventional radiologists, who are doctors who are specially trained to do minimally invasive vascular procedures such as angioplasty and embolization. During GAE, a doctor positions a catheter through a small needle puncture in the leg and into the blood vessels that supply the joint using X-ray guidance. Once positioned, tiny microsphere particles are slowly released to slow the blood supply to the joint, resulting in significant pain relief.
Long-Lasting Results. Greater Comfort.
Recovery from embolization is much faster than surgery because there is no incision to heal or stitches to be removed. The risk of bleeding and complications is lower than with invasive surgery.
Patients who undergo GAE have reported significant reductions in pain scores and use of pain medications, and significant increases in function scores. These improvements were sustained for several months from just one treatment.
Why Choose Washington Vascular Specialists?
At Washington Vascular Specialists, we are at the forefront of the latest interventional radiology procedures that provide an effective alternative to surgery with minimal recovery time. Our teams of interventional radiologists are board-certified and have extensive experience and success using these minimally invasive techniques to treat patients with a variety of disorders.
We use state-of-the-art equipment to provide the best in patient outcomes and care in a safe and comfortable environment. If you are suffering from DJD and are looking for an effective and non-invasive treatment option, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with one of our experts to discuss GAE.
Get your questions answered about Genicular Artery Embolization to treat your knee pain.
Salman Mufti, MD
Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Salman Mufti is a graduate from Rutgers University Medical School in NJ graduating with the highest honors and a former Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar. Dr Mufti is performing new cutting edge treatments that involve minimally invasive procedures.