San Antonians Now Have a Minimally Invasive Alternative to Knee Replacement
By John S. Hogg, MD, DABR, DABVLM, RPVI, RPhS, RVT, RVS
Founder, Medical Vein Clinic
September is Healthy Aging Month, making it the perfect time to talk about something that affects thousands of women every day: chronic knee pain.
Knee pain has a way of gradually changing your life. Walks become shorter. Stairs become something to avoid. You begin planning your day around how far you’ll have to walk or how difficult it will be to get up from a chair.
As movement decreases, muscles weaken, balance declines, and everyday activities become more difficult. Staying active is one of the best ways to maintain strength and independence as we age, but that’s hard to do when every step hurts.
Treatment usually begins with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections. These approaches provide meaningful relief for many patients. When pain persists, knee replacement isn’t the only option.
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure for selected patients with knee osteoarthritis who continue to have pain despite conservative treatment but aren’t ready to undergo joint replacement.
Many people think arthritis pain comes only from worn cartilage. That’s only part of the story.
Inflammation inside the knee also plays a major role. Tiny abnormal blood vessels develop around the joint, fueling that inflammation and the pain that comes with it. GAE works by blocking these small vessels, reducing inflammation without surgery or replacing the joint.
The procedure is performed using a tiny catheter with advanced imaging technology. There are no large incisions, no hospital stays, and patients return home the same day. Some are back to the gym and workout routines within a week.
“Most knee pain is viewed as a structural problem, but inflammation is often a significant part of what’s causing the pain,” says Dr. Thomas Gianis, board-certified vascular surgeon at Medical Vein Clinic. “By treating the abnormal blood vessels that are driving that inflammation, we’re able to reduce pain for carefully selected patients.”
GAE may be appropriate for people with moderate to severe knee pain who have tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections without lasting relief. It can also be an option for patients who aren’t good candidates for knee replacement or simply aren’t ready for surgery.
One of the advantages of GAE is that it leaves patients with future knee pain treatment options. Because the joint isn’t replaced, patients can still have knee replacement surgery later if it is necessary.
For many patients, the biggest benefit isn’t simply having less pain. It’s getting back to everyday life without constantly adjusting for knee pain.
If chronic knee pain is keeping you from walking, exercising, traveling, or enjoying time with your family, ask whether GAE may be an option. The sooner you explore your treatment choices, the more options you’ll have
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John S. Hogg, MD, DABR, DABVLM, RPVI, RPhS, RVT, RVS, is a board-certified physician specializing in Vascular and Interventional Radiology and Founder of Medical Vein Clinic. Genicular artery embolization at Medical Vein Clinic is performed by Thomas Gianis, MD, FACS, FSVS, DABVLM, RPVI, RVT, CWSP, a board-certified vascular surgeon.
