Chronic Knee Pain? A Breakthrough Treatment Is Offering Relief Without Major Surgery

Learn about knee osteoarthritis and how a minimally invasive procedure called G.A.E. is changing the way doctors treat chronic knee pain. G.A.E. is covered by most insurance plans.

For millions of Americans, the first sign is the stairs. Now you are taking the elevator, parking closer, gripping the handrail and going one step at a time, or avoiding stairs altogether because the pain is simply too much.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 58 million American adults are living with arthritis.

"Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common forms of arthritis, particularly in people over the age of 40," says Dr. Pushpinder Sivia, vascular surgeon at Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists. "Over time, the cartilage that cushions the knee joint wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation that can make everyday activities difficult."

Arthritis in the Hispanic Community

"More than 5 million Hispanic adults in the U.S are living with arthritis, and osteoarthritis is the most common type," says Dr. Sivia. "Research also suggests Hispanic adults are more likely to experience severe joint pain and limitations that interfere with daily life."

Knee osteoarthritis often develops gradually, becoming more common with age. Other risk factors include previous knee injuries, excess body weight, repetitive stress on the joints, family history, and occupations that require frequent kneeling, squatting, climbing, or heavy lifting.

Initial treatment typically includes:

• Weight management and lifestyle modifications
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroid injections
• Hyaluronic acid ("gel") injections

While these treatments provide relief for many patients, the effects are often temporary and tend to become less effective over time. For patients with more advanced osteoarthritis, knee replacement surgery may be recommended. Although highly effective for many people, surgery requires a longer recovery period and carries the risks of a major operation.

A Gamechanger: Genicular Artery Embolization (G.A.E.)

Genicular Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that targets one of the root drivers of arthritis pain: inflammation. "G.A.E. targets the small blood vessels that contribute to inflammation in the knee joint," explains Dr. Sivia. "By decreasing inflammation, many appropriate patients experience meaningful improvements in pain and function. G.A.E. has become one of the fastest-growing nonsurgical alternatives to knee replacement in the country."

Dr. Sivia is among the most experienced G.A.E. specialists in California, having personally performed more than 700 of these procedures.

Unlike injections, whose effects typically fade within weeks or months, published studies show that G.A.E. can deliver relief that lasts for years.

What to Expect During G.A.E.

G.A.E. is an outpatient treatment that takes about 30 minutes — no hospital stay, no general anesthesia. During the procedure:

1. A tiny pinhole-sized opening is made, usually near the upper thigh.
2. A thin catheter is guided through the blood vessels using advanced imaging technology.
3. The catheter is positioned in the small arteries supplying the inflamed lining of the knee.
4. Tiny particles are delivered to reduce excess blood flow to the inflamed tissue.

Patients walk out the same day, and most are back to their normal daily activities almost immediately — often within a day or two. There is no lengthy rehabilitation and no time away from work or family.

Am I a Candidate?

If you're suffering from knee arthritis pain, your current treatments aren't working, and you want to avoid knee replacement surgery, you may be a candidate for G.A.E. The first step is simple: come in and get evaluated by a specialist. The team at Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists will review your history, assess your knee, and verify your insurance coverage.

Learn More

Dr. Sivia explains how G.A.E. works in this video on Instagram. In another video, Nurse Specialist Guadalupe Rodarte explains — in Spanish— how G.A.E. may help patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. English and Spanish consultations are available. Consultations with Guadalupe are available at Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists' Riverside location.

To find out whether G.A.E. may be right for you — and to verify your insurance coverage — call 1-800-KNEECARE or visit EmpireVein.com.

Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists serves patients throughout Southern California with locations in Riverside, Ontario, Victorville, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and La Quinta.